Tigers' Colt Keith delivers first MLB game-winning hit, sweeps away Royals on season's first hit off changeup

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Tigers' Colt Keith delivers first MLB game-winning hit, sweeps away Royals on season's first hit off changeup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After not facing a left-handed starting pitcher for the opening 16 games of the MLB season, the Detroit Tigers faced their second southpaw in three days Thursday, sending utility specialist Colt Keith to the bench for both outings.

Keith remained patient.

Waiting through two rain delays for a right-handed reliever to enter Thursday's game at Comerica Park, Keith's left-handed swing finally earned a summons from Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.

With the Royals leading by two runs entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Riley Greene fueled the comeback with a game-tying double, followed by Keith's first career game-winning hit, capping a 10-9 victory. The Tigers (10-9), winners of six straight for the first time since 2024, earned the three-game sweep by securing a trifecta of come-from-behind, one-run victories.

Keith's decisive RBI single to right field Thursday proved to be his first hit off a changeup this season.

"We're being clutch and playing clean," Keith told Detroit SportsNet during a wet post-game interview.

Tigers' Colt Keith hitting like breakout candidate​

For the first time in his three-year career, Keith did not stumble out of spring training, hitting .163 in April as a rookie and .186 during the opening month as a sophomore.

This season has been different. While Hinch tends to keep Keith on the bench against left-handed starters, the versatile infielder remains one of the lineup's top candidates for an All-Star-type breakout. In his opening six starts, he batted .364.

On Thursday's game-winner, Keith said he was looking for a changeup.

"They've been doing it to me all series," said Keith, who was hitless in five at-bats during the first two games of the series.

Scheduled to open a series against the host Boston Red Sox on Friday, Keith led the Tigers with a .317 batting average and seven doubles. He had yet to connect on a home run in 60 at-bats, but through his opening 15 appearances, Keith ranked fifth in the league in exit velocity (93.5 mph).

Keith still doesn't start against lefties, but he came up clutch Thursday and remains patient for a breakout.

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