Game Review: Detroit Tigers vs. New York Mets September 3, 2025

Final Score: Tigers 6, Mets 2

The Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the New York Mets 6-2 at Comerica Park. After dropping the first two games of the series, the AL Central-leading Tigers bounced back with a convincing win powered by timely hitting and solid pitching.

Starting Pitchers

Detroit Tigers: Casey Mize (W, 13-5)

5.0 innings pitched
1 earned run
5 hits
3 strikeouts
69 pitches

New York Mets: Clay Holmes (L, 11-7)

4.2 innings pitched
3 runs (2 earned)
5 hits
3 walks
Multiple strikeouts with his changeup

Game Highlights

Key Moments

2nd inning: Tigers took a 1-0 lead on Jake Rogers’ RBI single
3rd inning: Mets tied it 1-1 on Pete Alonso’s RBI double
5th inning: Riley Greene delivered a crucial two-run single off reliever Gregory Soto to give Detroit a 3-1 lead
6th inning:
- Mark Vientos hit an RBI single to cut the Tigers’ lead to 3-2
- Javier Báez made a spectacular leaping catch in center field to rob Brandon Nimmo of an extra-base hit
- Tommy Kahnle induced an inning-ending double play from Starling Marte with the bases loaded to preserve Detroit’s lead
7th inning: Kerry Carpenter delivered the knockout blow with a three-run homer off struggling Mets reliever Ryan Helsley, extending the lead to 6-2

Standout Performances

Kerry Carpenter (DET): 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, 2 runs scored, and a walk
Pete Alonso (NYM): Perfect 3-for-4 day at the plate with an RBI double
Riley Greene (DET): Delivered the go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning
Casey Mize (DET): Earned his 13th win with five solid innings
Tommy Kahnle (DET): Worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth to preserve the Tigers’ slim lead

Defensive Highlights

Javier Báez’s leaping catch in center field robbed Brandon Nimmo of what could have been a game-changing hit in the sixth inning

Game Context

The victory at Comerica Park improved the Tigers’ record to 81-60, helping them maintain their position atop the AL Central after having lost seven of their previous nine games. Meanwhile, the Mets (75-65) still hold a four-game lead over the San Francisco Giants for the final National League wild card spot, completing a stretch of 16 games in 16 days with a respectable 9-7 record.

Notes

Juan Soto has now reached base safely in 30 of his last 31 games for the Mets
Ryan Helsley continued to struggle in relief for the Mets, surrendering the three-run homer to Carpenter in the seventh inning; he now has an 11.45 ERA since being acquired from the Cardinals at the trade deadline
The Tigers’ bullpen performed admirably, with Tommy Kahnle’s bases-loaded escape in the sixth inning serving as a critical turning point
Both teams are off Thursday; the Mets head to Cincinnati while the Tigers host the Chicago White Sox

Photos: Glenn Gervais – In Play! magazine