In one of the biggest moments of Game Two between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Wild Card series, AJ Hinch decided to pinch-hit for the Tigers' best hitter in Riley Greene.
Detroit was victim of a five-spot in the bottom of the eighth, which gave the Guardians a 6-1 lead, and forced a game three in the series.
There were runners on first and third with one out, and instead of letting Riley Greene face a left-handed pitcher in Tim Herrin, AJ Hinch opted to use Jahmai Jones.
AJ Hinch explains the critical decision
Following the game, manager AJ Hinch revealed what went into the decision to pinch-hit for Greene:
"If you look at what Jahmai has done against lefties, we had to take the shot," Hinch said. "You saw the same game I did. Up to that point, we were at double-digit guys on base and almost all of them in scoring position. We needed the ball in play."
At the time, it was still a 1-1 game, and when you take into account that Greene has almost 200 strikeouts on the season, it makes sense that the Tigers were looking for someone to put the ball in play and scratch across a run. However, Jones struck out, the Tigers scored no runs, and they ended up losing by five.
Detroit went 1-15 with runners in scoring position in game two, but what does it say about the trust the Tigers have in their best hitter if the manager can't keep him in to bat in one of the biggest moments in the game?
Maybe, in hindsight, it was the right move to give Jahmai Jones a shot, but Greene has 36 home runs on the season and has been a clutch hitter all year for Detroit.
Now, there will be a win-or-go-home game for both Detroit in Cleveland.
Check out more of TJ French's stories here: