Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle gets last laugh after HR robbery

Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle looked over at second base, where Jackson Merrill stood – grinning.  

A half-inning earlier Friday at Petco Park, the San Diego Padres center fielder robbed McGonigle of his first career home run. Merrill rose above the center-field wall to snare the line drive. After doubling to lead off the third inning, Merrill exchanged pleasantries with his defensive victim. 

As if to rub it in on his new rival, Merrill held up four fingers, signifying his 4-for-5 effort McGonigle enjoyed during his MLB debut Thursday.

McGonigle ended up getting the last laugh on the Padres. 

Rookie Kevin McGonigle making early mark 

With the Tigers trailing the Padres, 2-1, with two outs in the eighth inning, McGonigle faced left-hander Wandy Peralta with the bases loaded. He worked the count full and delivered a line-drive single to right-center field, scoring Colt Keith and Gleyber Torres. 

Cather Dillon Dingler followed with a run-scoring single as the Tigers forced the Padres relievers into releasing more than 40 pitches during the four-run stanza. The Tigres’ organization stressed more competitive at-bats during the offseason. The extra attention to detail was evident during the 5-2 victory over the Padres on Friday, the Tigers’ second straight to open the season. 

Fielding a growing talent like McGonigle, MLB’s No. 2-ranked preseason prospect, is proving to provide an early spark to the Tigers’ lineup. McGonigle has collected five hits in his opening eight at-bats. 

His first home run may have been swiped by Merrill early in the game, but the composed rookie delivered his first game-winning hit late.