Hinch: Tigers heartbroken for 'all the right reasons' after ALDS loss

The Detroit Tigers' season is over, but manager A.J. Hinch is proud of what his team accomplished this year despite losing to the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS on Saturday.

"I have a heartbroken team for all the right reasons," Hinch said, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. "We left everything on the field against a really good team. I thanked them for everything ... I'm really proud to be their manager."

The Tigers pushed the No. 2 seed Guardians to the brink but lost the deciding Game 5 by a score of 7-3.

Saturday's season-ending loss followed a terrific postseason run which saw Detroit secure the AL's final playoff spot thanks to a 39-26 record in the second half.

The Tigers also beat the heavily-favored Houston Astros in the wild-card round, accomplishing much of their success after dealing away a number of veteran players, including top starter Jack Flaherty, at the trade deadline.

Hinch believes the Tigers showed they are capable of playing big games in October and that getting a taste of postseason baseball is going to inspire his club.

"Our players, our coaches, our organization never flinched. We never thought that we shouldn't be here. That is going to fuel us moving forward," Hinch said, according to Woodbery.

"Once you play in one October, you never want to miss one for the rest of your career. Ever."