It's not often that you hear, when a big slugger comes up to the plate, 'Run into one like the pitcher did' in regards to the slugger needing a big hit. Most pitchers aren't known for their home run prowess, specifically in the AL when there's no batting to be done by pitchers except in interleague situations.
↵Still, Tigers manager Jim Leyland reportedly said just that when Miguel Cabrera stepped up to the plate in a crucial situation against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Back in batting practice before the game, pitcher Justin Verlander hit a home run and Leyland was impressed enough to call on the mojo of that HR when Cabrera came to bat looking for a late win.
↵↵↵Verlander confirmed the turn of events while getting ready to leave the Tigers clubhouse after the game.
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Yeah," Verlander said. "He called it."
And about that batting practice homer?
"I hit a bomb," Verlander said. "It wasn't a cheapie."
It worked well enough; Cabrera's resulting home run won the game for the Tigers against the Twins, sealing a three game sweep against the AL Central's worst team.