DETROIT -- The Tigers hosted a Polish-American night at Comerica Park on Friday, but it was a member of the visiting A’s in the spotlight during the pregame festivities.

Stephen Piscotty was presented with the 2019 Humanitarian Award from the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame for his commitment to his mother, who passed away last year after a long battle with ALS, and overall sportsmanship.

The Hall of Fame is based in Troy, Mich., and Piscotty has Polish heritage from his father’s side of the family. Piscotty also has family in nearby Grosse Ile, Mich., less than a 40-minute drive from Comerica Park. A group of about 60 people made the trek for Piscotty’s first series in Detroit last year, and he expects a similar number in town this time around, making the honor all the more special.

“It’s cool, especially being here with all the family in town,” Piscotty said. “I am Polish and it’s cool that everyone here is local and can come partake in that event. I’m very honored and thankful that they thought of me. It’s something that my dad and the whole family can use to get our story out there and our message to help our cause to raise more awareness and funding for ALS. I’m just really grateful.”

Laureano gets a day off

Mark Canha was in the lineup in center field (and homered) in place of Ramon Laureano for Friday’s 7-2 win over the Tigers. There was a bit of strategy at work here, giving Laureano a day off behind Frankie Montas, whose 51.9 percent ground-ball rate was eighth among Major League starters entering the game. A’s manager Bob Melvin said he’s comfortable with Canha in center after he proved he could play the position well last season.

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“Ramon plays similar to a Matt Chapman-like pace,” Melvin said. “I’m in constant communication with the training staff and they have their ideas. Today is his day off.”

Other regulars such as Chapman, Piscotty and Matt Olson are expected to get a day off at some point during the remainder of the current nine-game road trip, which ends Wednesday in Cleveland.