Cabrera’s Farewell: Tigers Triumph 11-10 Over Rays in Spring Finale

In a thrilling conclusion to spring training, the Detroit Tigers secured an 11-10 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Tigers wrapped up their Grapefruit League season with a 14-16-2 record, looking ahead to Opening Day against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 3:10 p.m. Thursday.

Cabrera Honored in Pre-Game Ceremony

Before his final spring game, Miguel Cabrera was honored with a brief on-field ceremony and received a key to the city of Lakeland as his first retirement gift. Although Cabrera went 0-for-3 with one strikeout and a lineout to left field, the Tigers and their fans celebrated him throughout the game.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch commented on the celebrations, “We’re going to do that a lot this year… It was nice to see Miggy loved as usual in his last spring training game.”

Dramatic Ninth Inning Seals the Deal

In the bottom of the ninth, Jonathan Davis drew a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ryan Kreidler then hit a single to center field, driving in Davis for a walk-off victory. Kreidler, 25, concluded spring training with a .288 batting average, six walks, and 10 strikeouts in 21 games.

Schoop’s Power on Display

Jonathan Schoop capitalized on a hanging slider from Rays’ right-hander Cooper Criswell, smashing the breaking ball with a 99.5 mph exit velocity and sending it 397 feet to the left-field berm for a solo home run. Schoop had an impressive day at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with two singles and the homer.