The News’ Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers’ 8-2 victory over the Marlins on Sunday:
One thing I loved
The Kevin McGonigle Show.
He’s 16 games into his major-league career, but he looks like he’s been around a lot longer than that. He’s been an impact player since Day 1 for Detroit in 2026, and he had a three-hit game Sunday, including his first major-league home run — a 408-foot no-doubter off Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara in the fifth inning.
The Tigers actually hit three home runs off Alcantara, including a three-run shot by Dillon Dingler in the first and a two-run shot by Kerry Carpenter in the sixth (both fell behind in the count, 0-2). It was the first time Alcantara has allowed three home runs in a start since 2023. He didn’t allow a single home run in his first three starts of 2026.
McGonigle has 19 hits through his first 16 games, and eight have been for extra bases. It was his fourth multi-hit game. He also drew his ninth walk — in the plate appearance after his home run, with runners in scoring position, he showed maturity beyond his years by not trying to do too much. McGonigle, 21, is doing it all, including with the glove. To think, there was actually a debate not long ago about whether he was ready for this stage.
He’s started all but one game for the Tigers, he’s played in every game — and he’s played big in most every game.
One thing I didn’t
Not much to complain about from the Tigers’ side of things Sunday, as they pitched well (Tarik Skubal took a no-hitter into the sixth inning), they hit well (seven runs off Alcantara), and they earned their first series sweep of the season. They’ve clawed back to 7-9, following a five-game losing streak, entering the Monday off day.
So, I’ll just say this: I love day baseball, especially on the weekends, but just once a year, I’d love it if Major League Baseball could run out a full slate of Sunday night games — on Masters Sunday. It’ll never happen, clearly, but I can dream (just like I can dream of one day, some day, walking those 18 majestic holes at Augusta National).
This Sunday, with fireworks aplenty from Comerica Park to Amen Corner, sure put the old multi-tasking skills to the ultimate test. Come to think of it, the biggest loser Sunday might just have been my lawn. Twas the perfect day for its first cut of 2026, but we’ll have to circle back to you on Monday. Yessir!
Three stars
(Season total in parentheses)
Tarik Skubal (3)
Dillon Dingler (4)
Kerry Carpenter
Player of the series
(Season total in parentheses)
Kevin McGonigle (2)
Tigers’ ABS tracker
Hitter challenges: 9-for-20
Pitcher/catcher challenges: 12-for-13
Tigers’ uniform tracker
Traditional home whites: 4-1
Alternate home oranges: 1-0
Traditional road grays: 2-5
Alternate road blues: 0-3
Next Tigers game
Game 17: Royals at Tigers, 6:40 Tuesday, DSN, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday’s Tigers recap
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers, Game 16: One thing I loved, one thing I didn’t
Reporting by Tony Paul, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
