Colt Keith’s clutch RBI double in the 11th inning ignited the Detroit Tigers’ thrilling 6-3 comeback victory over the New York Mets on Thursday, extending the Tigers’ undefeated streak to five games. This marks the Tigers’ best start since 2015, contrasting with the Mets’ disappointing 0-5 start, their worst since 2005.
Adding to the Tigers’ late-game heroics was Gio Urshela, who delivered a crucial two-out, two-run single. The Tigers now stand as the only unbeaten team in baseball and are poised to match their 2015 counterparts with a 6-0 start if they secure a win in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader.
“We feel good about where we’re at,” remarked Tigers pitcher Casey Mize, who made his first professional appearance since April 14, 2022, in the opener. “We feel good about our team. We have for a few weeks going back into spring training.”
The Mets, on the other hand, are grappling with their worst start since their 1963 season, facing an 0-5 record. Mets starter Adrian Houser acknowledged the challenging start, likening it to a rough beginning of a roller coaster ride, indicating that improvements are needed but expressing confidence in the team’s journey ahead.
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Shelby Miller’s stellar pitching performance, delivering two scoreless innings, contributed significantly to the Tigers’ victory. Meanwhile, Michael Tonkin’s consecutive losses for the Mets added to their woes.
Despite the Mets initially taking a 3-0 lead, highlighted by Francisco Alvarez’s two-run double and Brett Baty’s run-scoring single, the Tigers fought back. Andy Ibañez’s pinch-hit sacrifice fly, Urshela’s score on a wild pitch, and Riley Greene’s eighth-inning home run turned the tide in favor of the Tigers.
The matchup was also notable for the debut of Mets pitcher Adrian Houser, who allowed only one run in five-plus innings. However, it was not enough to stave off the Tigers’ resilient comeback.
The doubleheader, the earliest in Mets history by date, and the second-earliest for the Tigers, provided an action-packed day for baseball fans. Notably, the first-pitch temperature of 43 degrees made it the coldest at Citi Field since April 17, 2018.
Looking ahead, the Tigers will head to Detroit for their home opener, with LHP Tarik Skubal scheduled to start against the Oakland Athletics and LHP JP Sears. The Mets, on the other hand, will embark on their first road trip, with LHP Jose Quintana opening a series against the Reds, who will counter with RHP Hunter Greene.
