Tigers Beat Yankees 6-2 for Fourth Straight Win

7 Apr at 6:26 pm

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Tigers Beat Yankees 6-2 for Fourth Straight Win \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Andy Ibañez launched a three-run homer and Casey Mize delivered six strong innings as the Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees 6-2 on Monday. Jake Rogers drew three walks and scored twice in Detroit’s fourth straight win. The Tigers capitalized on walks and errors in a cold, snowy afternoon at Comerica Park.

Quick Looks

Andy Ibañez blasted his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the third
Casey Mize improved to 2-0, allowing just one run over six innings with six strikeouts
Jake Rogers walked three times and scored two key runs for Detroit
Tigers have now won four in a row, improving to 6-1 since their season-opening sweep
Carlos Rodón took the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) over six-plus innings
Aaron Judge drove in a run in the fifth to briefly cut the deficit to 3-1
Justyn-Henry Malloy answered with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth
Game was moved up due to frigid Detroit weather, with first pitch at 38 degrees and light snow
Key Moment: Ben Rice tripled in the third but was picked off at third base
Key Stat: Detroit scored five runs on just two hits through five innings, taking advantage of walks and an error

Deep Look

The Detroit Tigers proved Monday they’re more than just a team finding its rhythm—they’re establishing their identity. Behind a clutch three-run homer from Andy Ibañez and a strong start from Casey Mize, Detroit rolled to a 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees in front of a bundled-up Comerica Park crowd, extending their win streak to four games.

What made the win even more impressive wasn’t just the score—it was how efficiently and resiliently Detroit handled one of the American League’s most high-profile teams under frigid, challenging conditions. With the temperature hovering at 38 degrees and snowflakes in the air, the Tigers thrived while the Yankees floundered.

Ibañez Ignites the Offense

The game’s defining moment came in the bottom of the third inning, when Andy Ibañez, who hadn’t homered yet this season, stepped to the plate with two outs and two runners on. Facing Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, Ibañez unleashed a towering three-run blast into the left-field seats.

The homer, his first of 2025, turned a scoreless game into a 3-0 Tigers advantage and lit up Comerica Park—despite the bitter cold.

“I was just looking for something up in the zone I could handle,” Ibañez said postgame. “It feels good to come through for the team and keep this momentum going.”

Mize Keeps Delivering

The offensive surge was backed by a strong outing from Casey Mize, who continues to shine in the early going. The 26-year-old right-hander pitched six effective innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out six.

Though he walked three, Mize worked efficiently around traffic and managed to neutralize the Yankees’ power-heavy lineup. It was his second win in as many starts and a reminder of why Detroit sees him as a cornerstone of the rotation.

“He pitched with poise and confidence,” said manager A.J. Hinch. “He had command, made adjustments when needed, and kept hitters off balance. That’s exactly what we needed today.”

Rodón Falters Despite Strikeouts

On the other side, Carlos Rodón (1-2) delivered an outing that, on paper, had its bright spots—eight strikeouts over six-plus innings. But he also allowed six runs (five earned), issued four walks, and saw two critical innings unravel due to free passes and defensive miscues.

After walking two batters in the third, Rodón served up Ibañez’s three-run homer. In the fifth, another walk and a fielding error led to Justyn-Henry Malloy’s two-run single, stretching the lead to 5-1 and essentially putting the game out of reach.

The Yankees’ bullpen would later allow one more insurance run, but by then, the Tigers had seized full control.

Efficiency Over Explosion

Remarkably, Detroit managed six runs on just four hits through the first six innings. At the end of the fifth, they had five runs on two hits and hadn’t stranded a single baserunner.

Their offense thrived not through overwhelming firepower, but by capitalizing on walks, smart base running, and Yankees’ mistakes. That opportunistic play style has fueled the Tigers’ turnaround since their season-opening sweep at the hands of the Dodgers.

Frigid Start Time, Hot Team

Originally scheduled for an evening showdown, Monday’s game was moved to an afternoon slot due to a forecast of freezing evening temperatures and possible snow. At first pitch, it was barely above freezing—yet the Tigers stayed hot.

“We’re not going to use the weather as an excuse,” said catcher Jake Rogers, who drew three walks and scored two runs. “You’ve got to play through it, and I think we did that better than they did.”

One key defensive highlight came in the top of the third when Ben Rice tripled, but was picked off third base by Rogers, killing what looked like a promising Yankees rally. That heads-up play preserved Detroit’s momentum just minutes before Ibañez delivered his game-breaking homer.

Judge’s Effort Not Enough

The Yankees’ offense struggled to string hits together, though Aaron Judge did his best to rally New York with an RBI single in the fifth to cut the lead to 3-1. But that glimmer of hope quickly faded when Malloy’s two-run hit put the game out of reach.

Cody Bellinger, another big bat in New York’s lineup, went hitless on the day, as Mize and the Tigers’ bullpen kept New York from mounting any serious comeback.

What’s Next: Carrasco vs. Skubal

The Tigers and Yankees will meet again Tuesday afternoon in another weather-adjusted matchup. On the mound:

Carlos Carrasco (1-0, 7.36 ERA) takes the ball for the Yankees
Tarik Skubal (0-2, 5.91 ERA) will look to secure his first win for Detroit

For Skubal, it’s a chance to bounce back after a rough start to the season. A strong outing against a marquee opponent could mark a turning point—and possibly lead Detroit to a five-game win streak.

Final Thoughts

Monday’s win was the latest sign that the Tigers are finding their stride. With smart plate discipline, timely hitting, and consistent starting pitching, they’re showing signs of becoming a contender in a wide-open American League.

Andy Ibañez’s homer, Jake Rogers’ discipline, and Casey Mize’s control embodied the kind of balanced baseball that wins games in April—and sets the tone for the months ahead.

They may not have started the season the way they wanted, but now, Detroit is playing like a team on a mission.