Tigers Wallop Yankees 12–2 in the Bronx, Look to Win Season Series
It’s been a long time coming. The Detroit Tigers haven’t won a season series against the New York Yankees since 2011 — the same year Justin Verlander captured both the AL MVP and Cy Young. Fourteen years later, they are on the verge of ending the streak, courtesy of a statement win Monday evening: Tigers 12, Yankees 2.
And for those of us in Michigan, let’s be honest — there’s nothing better than watching the Yankees crumble on their own turf.
Torres Returns to the Bronx, Judge Goes Deep
This was the first time Gleyber Torres stepped back into Yankee Stadium as an opponent. After six seasons in pinstripes, he’s worn the Olde English “D” all year, and the Bronx crowd gave him a respectful ovation in his first at-bat. He didn’t waste it either — lacing a double early and later working a bases-loaded walk in Detroit’s huge seventh inning. It was a nice homecoming that became even sweeter as the game played out.
But it was Aaron Judge who drew first blood. In the bottom of the first, he launched a Casey Mize pitch over the center-field wall for his 359th career homer, passing Yogi Berra for fifth on the Yankees’ all-time list. That’s a milestone you tip your cap to — but history didn’t help New York once the Tigers got rolling.
Early Trouble, Then Mize Settles
For a moment, it felt like the Tigers might be in for another long Bronx night. In the fourth, Cody Bellinger belted a solo shot to right to make it 2–0 Yankees.
But Casey Mize regrouped. After those two solo homers, he slammed the door. By the end of his outing: six innings, two runs, eight strikeouts, no walks. For a guy who’s been searching for rhythm since the All-Star break, this was easily his best start in weeks. It looked like the Mize we saw earlier in the season — efficient, confident, and keeping the ball out of trouble.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ defense provided one of their few highlights. In the third, Trent Grisham made a leaping catch at the wall in center to rob Detroit’s Trey Sweeney of extra bases. Yankee fans cheered, but they didn’t know it yet — that would be their last real chance to celebrate.
Meadows Answers in the Fifth
I have high expectations for this player; his defense is stellar, but I kept telling myself, “Parker Meadows needs to go deep today“. He obliged in the fifth inning. With Spencer Torkelson on base, Meadows worked a full count and then hit a two-run homer into the right-field seats. Just like that, we were tied at 2–2, and the Tigers’ dugout came to life.
Seventh Inning: A Bronx Meltdown for the Ages
The top of the seventh inning should go down in Tigers folklore. What started with a bases-loaded jam turned into a complete Yankees bullpen implosion.
- Parker Meadows singled to right, Greene scored. 3–2 Detroit.
- Dillon Dingler walked, Torkelson trotted home. 4–2.
- Trey Sweeney singled to center, Wencel Pérez scored. 5–2.
- Colt Keith was hit by a pitch, Meadows scored. 6–2.
- Gleyber Torres worked a bases-loaded walk. 7–2.
- A wild pitch from Mark Leiter Jr. let Sweeney score. 8–2.
- Kerry Carpenter ripped a two-run triple to center. 10–2.
- Wencel Perez grounded into a fielder’s choice, bringing Carpenter home. 11–2.
When it was over, nine Tigers had crossed the plate, fourteen came to bat, and Yankee Stadium was raining boos. Fans started filing out before the stretch — the ultimate Bronx insult.
It wasn’t just a rally. It was a meltdown. Fernando Cruz and Leiter Jr. combined for no outs, multiple walks, a hit batsman, a wild pitch, and a backbreaking triple. If you wanted a microcosm of the Yankees’ season — this was it.
And for us in Michigan? Pure joy.
Greene Adds the Cherry
By the eighth, the game was over, but Riley Greene wasn’t done. He lined a single to center, scoring Andy Ibáñez and stretching the lead to 12–2. Not “insurance” — more like the cherry on top of a sundae made entirely of Yankee misery.
Paddack Locks It Down
From there, Chris Paddack took the ball and gave Detroit exactly what it needed. Three perfect innings. Three strikeouts. First career save.
Yeah, it came with a 10-run cushion, but this outing matters. Paddack hasn’t exactly been lights-out since coming over at the trade deadline, and a performance like this builds confidence — for him, for A.J. Hinch, and for Tigers fans who’d love to see another reliable arm in October.
Final Score: Tigers 12, Yankees 2
The numbers:
- Casey Mize: 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 K, 0 BB.
- Chris Paddack: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K (first career save).
- Parker Meadows: 3 RBI, including a game-tying homer.
- Kerry Carpenter: 2-run triple to break it open.
- Gleyber Torres: 2 walks, 1 RBI, solid Bronx return.
Detroit improved to 83–62, holding an 8-game cushion in the AL Central. New York fell to 80–64, clinging to Wild Card positioning but clearly vulnerable.
The Michigan Perspective
Around here, we don’t exactly like the Yankees. They’ve been the gold standard forever, and too often the Tigers have been the ones left chasing. So watching Yankee Stadium empty out as our guys piled on nine runs in one inning? That’s about as sweet as baseball gets.
Judge may have his milestone. Bellinger may have had his solo shot. But this game was ours, and it firmly set the Tigers up to snap a streak that stretches back to Verlander’s MVP season.
Looking Ahead
The series isn’t over, but this opener sent a clear message: these aren’t the same Tigers who’ve been bullied by the Bronx Bombers for the last decade. With Mize regaining form, and perhaps a healthy Parker Meadows being added back into the mix, the Tigers can hopefully find their rhythm again.
There will be bigger games ahead in September. But beating the Yankees 12–2 in their own ballpark and watching their fans stream for the exits? That’s a moment Tigers fans should savor.
Go Tigers.
