Fick Roars in Big League Debut

Much of the day was a blur to Robert Fick, but the former Cal State Northridge All-American made his major league debut unforgettable.

Fick doubled, singled, stole a base, scored twice and drove in a run during the Detroit Tigers’ 8-7 10-inning victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

“This is one of the great days in my life,” Fick said. “I guess you can tell I’m kind of in awe yet.”

Fick, along with former Taft High and Moorpark College outfielder Gabe Kapler, was promoted to the Tigers when the double-A Jacksonville, Fla., Suns were eliminated from the Southern League playoffs by Mobile, Ala., Friday night.

Kapler and Fick, who attended Newbury Park High and Ventura College before becoming an All-American catcher at Northridge in 1996, took a 4:30 a.m. flight Saturday and arrived at Tiger Stadium 15 minutes before batting practice.

After quickly donning a uniform, Fick, 24, was told by interim Manager Larry Parrish that he would be the designated hitter. Kapler did not play.

After grounding into a double play in the second inning, Fick doubled to the wall in right field in the fifth and scored on a single by Deivi Cruz.

With two out in the sixth, Fick singled to left to score Damion Easley. Fick stole second and scored on a single by Paul Bako to give the Tigers a 6-5 lead. Detroit won on a 10th-inning home run by Easley.

Both of Fick’s hits came against right-hander Brad Radke, a 20-game winner last season.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.