Tigers players combine for jaw-dropping catch on pop out

New York Post

2 days ago

It's been a fairytale start to the season for the Tigers, and an unbelievable tip-drill catch Monday proved the magic in Detroit remains alive and well.
With the Tigers up 8-0 in the fifth inning of an eventual 13-1 win over the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago right fielder Joshua Palacios lifted a foul pop-up near the edge of the third-base dugout.
Detroit catcher Dillon Dingler tracked the ball and attempted a sliding catch, but the ball ricocheted off his mitt.
Sure enough, the it popped right into the glove of third baseman Zach McKinstry, who was positioned a few feet away.
A gift from the baseball gods? A spectacular display of teamwork and hand-eye coordination?
Perhaps a little of both for the Tigers, who have the best record in baseball (40-21) and a 6 ½ game lead on the second-place Guardians in the AL Central.
As Detroit play-by-play man Jason Benetti put it on the local Fan Duel Sports Network broadcast: 'I mean, they do birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs and anniversaries too! The Dingler-McKinstry juggling team – book today!'
3 Zach McKinstry (l.) of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul ball after Dillon Dingler (r.) of the Detroit Tigers deflect the ball his way during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 02, 2025.
Tigers/X
3 Zach McKinstry (r.) of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul ball after Dillon Dingler (l.) of the Detroit Tigers drops the ball during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 02, 2025
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McKinstry was visibly shocked as he realized the ball had landed in his mitt, before turning to Dingler with an incredulous smile.
Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, who twirled six innings of one-run ball, couldn't help but grin at the play, either.
Of course, the catch was one of a long list of highlights from the blowout over the lowly White Sox.
Designated hitter Kerry Carpenter stole the show with a three-homer game, and every Tigers batter besides McKinstry recorded at least one hit.
With his remarkable snag, though, the third baseman surely made up for his quiet night at the plate.
3 Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul ball after Dillon Dingler #13 of the Detroit Tigers drops the ball during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 02, 2025
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Detroit has now won seven of its last eight games, and have every opportunity to keep the good times rolling with three more games on tap against the 18-42 White Sox.