Hinch marvels at Báez after 6-RBI game: 'He should get all the praise'

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch praised Javier Báez's turnaround after the former All-Star delivered two homers and six RBIs in Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox, including a walk-off round-tripper in extra innings.

"He's all-in," Hinch said, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. "We ask the guys to be all-in, and here's a guy who's been through a lot in his time here.

"He continues to battle, continues to fight, and continues to try learning a new position, abbreviated playing time at the beginning of the season, to now every day, wearing him out. And he's all-in. He's an incredible human, and he's doing his part. He should get all the praise for how he's gone about it."

Báez stunned the Red Sox on Wednesday with his second three-run homer of the game to give the Tigers their American League-leading 28th win.

The 32-year-old became the only player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run for his second lead-flipping three-run homer of a game, according to Opta Stats.

(Source: MLB.com)

Báez is having his best season as a Tiger since inking a six-year, $140-million deal with the organization before the 2022 campaign.

The shortstop entered the season without a starting role but recently transitioned to center field, where he's faring well after never playing the position before.

The switch has allowed Detroit to get his bat into the lineup more often.

"He is a shining example of what we're trying to do here, which is be available to do anything and everything you can for a team to win," Hinch said.

"And that's easy to stand in front of a group and say it. It's easy to get young guys to be hungry. But this dude's got a Gold Glove. This guy's been a world champion. He has been the center focus of a team before. He's like, 'Sure, I'll do it.' And that is priceless."