The Detroit Tigers played (and won) a real baseball game on Friday, officially opening their 2020 season — well, the part that doesn’t count, at least. Detroit’s Danny Pinero hit a single into center field in the ninth to score prospect Jake Holton, giving the Tigers a 5-4 win over Southeastern University at Joker Marchant Stadium.
The win itself isn’t important of course. It was a blustery day in Lakeland, which made for some poor hitting conditions. A 6-for-31 performance (.194 average) at the plate isn’t the best, but nine walks to three strikeouts for the offense is a welcome sight.