Parker Meadows' insane web gem saves Tigers and keeps rookie's hot streak rolling

It's only August, but the catch of the year debate is over. Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows is the runaway champion.

The 24-year-old stole a run – and likely the game – in the eighth inning of Detroit's 6-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday to preserve the victory for American League Cy Young Award frontrunner Tarik Skubal and knock the M's out of first place in the AL West.

With the Mariners trailing 3-2, a runner at second, and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Seattle Mariners catcher Raleigh, who hit a two-run homer to center in the fourth inning, cranked a high blast to deep right-center off Tigers reliever Jason Foley.

Meadows used his 6-foot-5 frame to his advantage, running to the warning track and leaping over the wall to make the catch and end the inning. He was (understandably) fired up, yelling and pounding his chest in celebration as he ran back to the dugout. Perhaps he was thinking about the steak dinner that Foley would now owe him after that monster save.

With late-inning heroics, Meadows continues to make an impact for Tigers

Meadows has been making a big impact for the Tigers since he returned from the injured list Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. After missing nearly a month with a strained right hamstring, he is now 6-for-14 (.429) since his return. In addition to making the highlight-reel catch, Meadows also singled twice on Wednesday after hitting an RBI single and a 415-foot homer to center field the previous night as the Tigers won the series opener in Seattle, 4-2.

After a five-game skid dating back to July 28, the Tigers have now won three of their last four. And they've done it against all odds, with an injury-depleted pitching staff and a young, relatively unproven core leading the charge.

They may not be a playoff team this year, but rookies like Meadows, Colt Keith and Wenceel Pérez are playing like they are. If the team's performance of late is any indicator of what's to come in 2025 and beyond, Tigers fans have a lot to be excited about.

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