MINNEAPOLIS — Casey Mize didn't start his season finale the way he would have liked.
The rookie gave up three singles and a three-run home run before a mound visit from Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter sparked his recovery in a rocky 31-pitch first inning. But Mize found his groove the rest of the way, so manager AJ Hinch rewarded him with a fist bump — not a handshake — after the third frame.
A fist bump indicates a return to the mound, whereas a handshake means the outing is complete. Pitching under strict innings restrictions since the beginning of September, Mize had not been allowed to work into the fourth inning.