Squirrel invades Tigers-Orioles game — and grounds crew is powerless to stop it

Squirrel invades Tigers-Orioles game — and grounds crew is powerless to stop it

The Tigers ground crew took “how many people does it take to capture a squirrel” to a whole new level on Monday. 

A rogue black squirrel got loose on the field during the Tigers’ game against the Orioles at Comerica Park, leading to a wild moment in the middle of the seventh inning, as an army of staffers tried to corral the critter to no avail for several minutes before they finally captured it.

The four-legged trespasser made its way onto the field sometime around the sixth inning and managed to meander around until the middle of the seventh when the grounds crew made its move. 

At one point, the squirrel was positioned near Orioles’ third base coach Buck Britton, who decided to share a sunflower seed with it in a hilarious moment that was caught on the broadcast. 

Squirrel runs on the field during the seventh inning of the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

At least a dozen grounds crew members ran onto the field in the middle of the seventh, giving chase to the squirrel in an attempt to get it off the playing surface. 

As the squirrel scurried around the outfield, the grounds crew comically gave chase, in what can only be described as something out of a “Looney Tunes” cartoon. 

In one instance, Orioles right fielder Leody Taveras attempted to help out by scooping up the critter and instead sent it flying through the air before it sprinted away — talk about an E9. 

The squirrel was eventually captured after one grounds crew member was able to throw a towel on it and pick it up. 

The capture elicited boos from the Comerica Park crowd, which had been enjoying the rodent’s elusive moves. 

Home plate umpire Bill Miller attempted to show his appreciation to the grounds crew for their effort and jumped on his mic to do so. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to thank the grounds crew. Let’s give ‘em a round of applause. The Detroit Tigers grounds crew, thank you!” Miller said. 

Comerica Park grounds crew attempt to capture a squirrel during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, July 27, 2026 MLB
Comerica Park grounds crew attempt to capture a squirrel during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, July 27, 2026 AP Photo/Jose Juarez

The Tigers have not publicly stated the squirrel’s condition, nor have they said if it will face any further disciplinary action other than being removed from the field. 

The Tigers lost the ballgame 8-5 to the Orioles.

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