George Springer HIts an Inside the Park Homer in Detroit, A Breakdown

George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays steps up to the plate in the top of the sixth inning against Detroit Tigers pitcher Buck Farmer. With the game tied 2-2, Springer laces a deep drive to center field. The ball hits the quirky outfield curb in Comerica Park and bounces away from the Tigers' outfielder. Seeing the opportunity, the fleet-footed Springer takes off, putting his head down and sprinting around the bases. He rounds third base and slides headfirst into home plate, scoring an inside-the-park home run. Springer's exhilarating dash around the bases mirrors a similar play last year, when New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks achieved the same feat in this very ballpark. As Springer crosses home plate, a big smile spreads across his face. The Blue Jays' third base coach, Lukas Erceg, is laughing and can barely contain his excitement watching Springer's heads-up hustle. "That was awesome, man," Erceg says, high-fiving Springer as he catches his breath. "I couldn't even talk, I was so tired from yelling at you to keep going." Springer lays on the ground for a moment, clearly gassed from his all-out sprint, before getting up with the assistance of his teammate. The TV broadcast then shows a slow-motion replay of Springer's inside-the-park home run, highlighting his perfect form as he rounds the bases and slides safely into home. Play-by-play announcer Chris Slade marvels at Springer's speed and athleticism, noting that "no one told him to slide, but you want to finish your big play like a little kid having fun." Springer's heads-up play and sheer effort have given the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead in the late innings of this close game against their American League rivals. With the playoff race heating up, this type of energy and production from their veteran leadoff hitter could be a difference-maker for Toronto down the stretch.