Detroit Tigers, Game 14: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

The News' Andrew Graham gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 2-0 victory over the Marlins on Friday:

One thing I loved

Good to see Rod Allen, back at Comerica Park in a color commentary chair, just now for the Miami Marlins, working the broadcast with play-by-play man Jack McMullen.

At risk of revealing my (lack of) age, Allen’s color commentary was an integral part of how I experienced the Tigers growing up. I watched him call games when the Tigers were terrible, great, and with World Series titles in reach. I still say, “I see you big fella” in his cadence.

Marlins fans are so lucky to have Allen on the call for their games, as it was a certainty he’d end up with a gig after his time came to an end in Detroit.

And though Allen’s tenure in Detroit may have ended ignominiously, having him back in the booth at Comerica Park just feels right. He seems to think so, too.

More: Ex-Tigers broadcaster Rod Allen: 'Nothing should end like this for anybody'

And a fun additional broadcast detail on this game: The play-by-play announcers for both the Tigers and the Marlins — Jason Benetti and McMullen — are Syracuse alums (as is this scribe.) We’re just missing Mike Tirico.

Apr 10, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero (54) celebrates in the dugout after throwing six scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

One thing I didn't

The group project that was Kevin McGonigle, Javy Báez and Riley Greene letting a catchable pop up in left center fall for a double for Connor Norby in the top of the fifth inning. That was no good.

It didn’t end up costing the Tigers. And it’s pretty evident that with McGonigle and Báez at shortstop and center field, respectively, that the communication broke down. It was pretty clearly a ball the center fielder should’ve been taking charge on.

All that was needed to complete the scene was a Nelson Muntz “Ha ha!” when the ball plunked down between the trio in left center field.

Fortunately for these three Tigers, it didn’t feature a collision in the outfield as we saw on Thursday in Minnesota — perhaps there were echoes in the minds of the defenders. But someone needed to take charge in the moment and didn’t.

At least Báez clocked a home run in the bottom of the fifth inning right after to make up for it.

Three stars

▶ Spencer Torkelson

▶ Javy Báez

▶ Kevin McGonigle — did you see that play in the hole at short!?

Player of the game

▶ Keider Montero — two hits, and it should've been one

Next Tigers game

▶ Game 15: Marlins at Tigers, 1:10 Saturday, DSN, 97.1

ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap

Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers, Game 14: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't