Kevin McGonigle's 8th-inning single lifts Detroit Tigers over San Diego Padres
Kevin McGonigle lined a 3-2 sinker into right field in the 8th, and the Detroit Tigers beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on March 27, 2026. Framber Valdez allowed 2 runs over 6 innings.
By Gamebook Baseball Desk
Reporting date: . Published: .
The Detroit Tigers beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on March 27, 2026. Kevin McGonigle's two-run single off Wandy Peralta with two outs in the 8th put the Tigers ahead 4-2.
How the game turned
The game was tied 1-1 when Ramón Laureano doubled home Jackson Merrill in the 6th, putting the Padres ahead 2-1.
The Detroit Tigers scored in 2 of their 9 offensive innings. The 8th brought 4 runs, the club's largest total in an inning. The San Diego Padres went scoreless in 7 of 9 innings. The Detroit Tigers won by 3 runs.
The first turn for the Detroit Tigers
The Tigers trailed 2-1 when Riley Greene singled home Kerry Carpenter in the 8th, tying the game at 2-2.
How the Tigers hit
Kevin McGonigle collected 1 hit across 3 at-bats with 2 RBIs and 1 walk. Riley Greene went 1-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI. Dillon Dingler finished 1-for-3 with 1 RBI. Spencer Torkelson had 1 hit in 4 at-bats with 1 RBI. The Detroit Tigers got 6 hits from 6 batters. They also drew 8 walks.
The game left McGonigle at .625 with 0 home runs and 4 RBIs on the season. Padres hitter Ramón Laureano collected 1 hit across 4 at-bats with 1 double and 1 RBI.
Pitching
Over 6 innings, Framber Valdez used 83 pitches, allowing 7 hits and 2 runs, walking 1 and striking out 5. 4 pitchers combined for the Detroit Tigers' 9 innings on 127 pitches, allowing 8 hits and 2 walks with 12 strikeouts.
Padres starter Michael King worked 5 innings on 82 pitches, allowing 1 hit and 1 run, walking 4 and striking out 6.
Club record
The Detroit Tigers closed March 27, 2026 at 2-0, 1st in the division. The Tigers ranked 2nd in the league with a 1.000 winning percentage.
Official sources
Team facts, standings, and players reflect the reporting date.