Ian Kinsler pitches a shut out inning then hits a home run, a breakdown

MLB

What Happened

Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers steps to the mound in the bottom of the 8th inning, with his team trailing 10-2. It's an unusual move, as Kinsler is normally an infielder, but he's taking the opportunity to pitch an inning. Kinsler starts off by throwing a curveball that freezes the batter. "Perfect time to spike one," Kinsler says to himself. He then fires a fastball that the batter swings and misses at. After the strikeout, Kinsler plunks the next batter, who is awarded first base. "You've gotta be kidding me," Kinsler says in frustration. Unfazed, Kinsler continues pitching, getting the next batter to ground out weakly. With two outs and runners on base, Kinsler faces Manny Machado, one of the most exciting young players in baseball. "It wasn't that bad, it wasn't that bad," Machado says to Kinsler, trying to lighten the mood. Kinsler works around Machado, walking him to load the bases, but he escapes the jam without allowing any runs. "Hell yeah," Kinsler says, pumping his fist as he heads back to the dugout, clearly proud of his pitching performance. In the very next inning, Kinsler steps up to the plate and crushes a home run on an 0-2 pitch. "I feel like Babe Ruth," Kinsler says with a huge grin, basking in his two-way success. It's a rare and remarkable display of versatility from the veteran Kinsler, who has seamlessly transitioned from elite infielder to shutdown relief pitcher and power-hitting designated hitter, all within the span of a single game. Despite the Tigers' lopsided 10-2 deficit, Kinsler has found a way to make the most of the situation and have some fun, providing an entertaining moment for the fans and his teammates alike.

Full Transcript

Click timestamps to jump to that moment

two-way players are making a comeback we

got Otani we got two-way McKay well

Stevie Wilkerson got a save for the

Orioles

he also pitches like every other game