ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Brandon Inge was adamant Wednesday night that he had made the right decision when he threw to second base on what turned out to be a game-winning fielder's choice for the Tampa Bay Rays.

On Thursday morning, Tigers manager Jim Leyland respectfully disagreed. Here is how the exchange went with Leyland during his pregame session with the media.

Question: On that final play last night, Brandon was very adamant that that was the play, at second base. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Leyland: I disagree. I think he should have touched third base. I thought the ball was, like, one step to his left, hit hard. I think he could have ran to third or even tagged the runner or gone to first. If the ball's further to his left, I agree 100 percent.

Santiago was late getting there. He was playing over and deep. He was a little late getting there. The ball did beat him, so it wasn't like it was a brutal play. I just think that (Casey) Kotchman's the runner (going to third), he's over here, you can run to third and not even make a throw.

So I disagree. That's not being upset. But I don't agree with that. I thought it was a play where he could run to third and tag the bag or tag the runner and never even make a throw or just throw the ball to first base. You can go to second on that play as well, particularly if the ball is to your left more. But I thought the ball was, like, one step, hit hard.

So I didn't see it the same way. Please, emphasize that I'm not upset with Brandon Inge, because I'm not. One guy sees a play one way, one guy sees it another way. He's the player, he's been out there several times, much more than I have.

There was a lot of ways you could have got the out, just about everywhere. And Santiago was a little late getting there. But the other part of that play is, the other thing is, you've got a good runner at first who's got a big lead because Miguel (Cabrera) is back. Their guy was doing what he should have done, and you give him credit. He busted his ass and won them the ballgame.

You can go on further and further and further. We might have gone three more innings and never scored a run. It's not like we definitely would have won the game if that play didn't happen. That's what it is. No big deal. You turn the page.

I'm always going to support my player. I support Brandon Inge. That's the way he felt, I support it. I don't necessarily agree with it. But I support him. That's just the way it is. But you're asking me a question. I'm not going to say, 'Oh, yeah, he definitely made the right decision.' I thought he could have ran over and touched third base, particularly with Kotchman the runner, or even stood there and touched Kotchman, wait for Kotchman and tag him and never make a throw.

But that's easy to say when you're not the guy involved in the play.