Tigers 2, Blue Jays 1

Miguel Cabrera's family turns the milestone home run counter to 500 in the first inning.

INFIELDERS/UTILITY No. 24 Miguel Cabrera, first base/designated hitter — R-R, 6-4, 267. Age in season: 39 The focus soon enough with be on his quest for 3,000 hits. He needs 13 to become the seventh player to achieve at least 500 home runs and 3,000 hits in a career. He is three doubles shy of 600, too. The only players to hit 500 homers, 3,000 hits and 600 doubles are Hank Aaron and Albert Pujols. But in terms of the 2022 season, Cabrera helped set the tone first by championing the signing of shortstop Javier Báez and anointing him as the on-field leader, second by embracing rookie Spencer Torkelson as the everyday first baseman and third by accepting a move down in the batting order. His message: “It’s not about me, it’s about winning. I want to win.” 2021: .256 BA, 92 wRC-plus, minus-.07 WAR 2023 salary: $32 million

Tigers' Miguel Cabrera acknowledges the fans after his family changes the milestone home run counter from 499 to 500 in the first inning. Detroit Tigers vs Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 27, 2021. (Robin Buckson / The Detroit News)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matt Manning works in the first inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park in Detroit, August 27, 2021.

Tigers pitcher Matt Manning works in the first inning.

Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario makes the throw to first for an out in the first inning.

Blue Jays pitcher Steven Matz works in the first inning.

Tigers' Jeimer Candelario doubles in the first inning.

A reporter throws a foul ball to a fan after the ball entered the press box in the third inning.

Tigers center fielder Derek Hill makes a leaping catch on a fly ball off the bat of Blue Jays' Kevin Smith in the fourth inning.

Blue Jays pitcher Steven Matz tags Tigers' Jonathan Schoop in the fourth inning.

Tigers' Jeimer Candelario smiles after scoring on a single by Miguel Cabrera in the fourth inning.

The Miggy milestone hit counter goes up to 2959 after Miguel Cabrera's RBI single in the fourth inning.

Tigers pitcher Gregory Soto works in the ninth inning.

Tigers pitcher Matt Manning works in the sixth inning.

Tigers' Jonathan Schoop singles in the sixth inning.

Tigers pitcher Kyle Funkhouser works in the seventh inning.

Tigers pitcher Jose Cisnero works in the eighth inning.

From left, Tigers second baseman Willi Castro (9) and right fielder Daz Cameron watch as center fielder Derek Hill, right, makes the catch in the eighth inning.

Tigers' Victor Reyes is congratulated after his in-the-park, go-ahead home run in the eighth inning.

Detroit Tigers Derek Hill, top, hugs teammate Victor Reyes after Reyes hit an in-the-park home run to make it 2-1 Tigers in the eighth inning.

Detroit Tigers Derek Hill, top, hugs teammate Victor Reyes after Reyes hit an in-the-park home run to make it 2-1 Tigers in the eighth inning.

Tigers pitcher Gregory Soto works in the ninth inning.

Tigers pitcher Gregory Soto looks skyward after the win.