Tigers motivated by Brad Ausmus’ penalized outburst

8:25 PM ET

DETROIT — Major League Baseball was not amused by manager Brad Ausmus’ antics — assessing a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his epic tirade in the Detroit Tigers’ 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night — but the colorful display certainly struck a chord within his clubhouse.

Several players told ESPN on Tuesday that the expletive-heavy rant unleashed on home plate umpire Doug Eddings in the fourth inning, which culminated with Ausmus shedding his sweatshirt and draping it over home plate in disgust, left the team fired up in the dugout and determined to scratch out a win. It isn’t often that they see their stoic, even-keeled skipper lose control of his emotions, so they interpreted his raw, unfiltered meltdown as a refreshing display of the frustration that has been mounting in recent weeks.

“It was awesome,” veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler told ESPN.com on Tuesday, grinning in recalling the turn of events and giving his manager high marks for creativity.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus yells at home plate umpire Doug Eddings after laying his sweatshirt on home plate on Monday. AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Ausmus is not known for having a volatile temper. He is regarded as a cerebral tell-it-like-it-is …

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