Detroit exploded for nine runs in the 7th as the Tigers thumped the Yankees 12–2. Casey Mize strong; Aaron Judge homered but bullpen implosion cost New York.
Quick snapshot — Tigers vs Yankees
The Detroit Tigers scored nine runs in the seventh inning and rolled to a 12–2 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, a game marked by an early Aaron Judge milestone but ultimately defined by a historic bullpen meltdown.
The headline plays — what happened
Tuesday night’s tilt began as a pitcher’s duel but ended as one of the wildest late-inning breakdowns you’ll see all season:
- Aaron Judge opened the scoring for New York with a first-inning solo homer—the 359th of his career—moving past Yogi Berra on the Yankees’ all-time list.
- Casey Mize provided a strong outing for Detroit: six innings, eight strikeouts, and only two earned runs allowed, giving the Tigers a chance to stay in the game early.
- With the game tied 2–2 in the seventh, Detroit sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning and scored nine runs—sparked by Parker Meadows’ go-ahead RBI single and capped by a two-run triple from Kerry Carpenter. The Yankees relievers Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. were tagged for the bulk of the damage.
- Chris Paddack closed out the game for Detroit with three perfect innings and recorded his first career save.
In short: a memorable offensive eruption for the Tigers and a night to forget for New York’s bullpen.
How the game unfolded — inning-by-inning narrative
Early frames: Aaron Judge struck early, drilling a 412-foot solo shot off Casey Mize in the first to give the Yankees an early 1–0 edge; Judge’s milestone homers added an emotional note to the night. Will Warren matched reasonably for New York through six, limiting Detroit to one run before the floodgates opened.
Middle innings: Detroit chipped away—Parker Meadows tied it with a two-run homer in the fifth that pushed momentum advantage to the Tigers. The game was knotted at 2–2 heading into the seventh, with both starters turning in solid line items.
The seventh: The Tigers unleashed a nine-run rally. A mix of hits, walks and poor relief pitching sent 14 batters to the plate. Meadows’ RBI single started the outburst; Kerry Carpenter’s two-run triple provided a decisive cushion. Manager Aaron Boone watched as the lead ballooned; the inning officially turned a close game into a blowout.
Finish: Detroit added one more in the eighth and played clean defense behind Chris Paddack, who logged three perfect innings and earned the save—his first in a Tigers uniform. The final: Tigers 12, Yankees 2.
Key performers and stats
For the Tigers
- Casey Mize (W): 6.0 IP, 8 K, 2 ER — a bounce-back performance that stabilized Detroit’s rotation.
- Parker Meadows: instrumental in the comeback—three hits, 3 RBIs, including the go-ahead single that ignited the seven-run burst.
- Kerry Carpenter: huge two-run triple during the seventh to pad the lead and keep rallies alive. (ESPN.com)
- Chris Paddack (S): 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K — first career save; pitched three perfect innings to finish the game.
For the Yankees
- Aaron Judge: 1 HR (his 44th of the season), continued chase of franchise records despite the loss.
- Will Warren: 6.0 IP, 5 K, 2 ER — tossed a solid start but could not avoid the bullpen meltdown. (MLB.com)
Bullpen implosion: Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. combined to allow nine runs without recording an out in the pivotal seventh—one of the worst relief performances in recent Yankees memory. Tim Hill, later charged, also contributed to the damage. The result was a historic inning that tied into broader season bullpen concerns for New York. (New York Post, Yahoo Sports)
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Why this game matters — standings, momentum and morale
- AL East context: The Yankees dropped to 80–64 (per box scores) and saw their divisional race and wild-card positioning take a hit. Losses like this matter in September when margin for error is minimal. The Blue Jays and other contenders are jockeying for positioning; a blown lead in a marquee home game amplifies urgency for New York.
- Tigers’ surge: Detroit improved to 83–62, continuing a quietly impressive season. Momentum wins in tight September stretches—especially on the road in Yankee Stadium—can help build confidence for pennant pushes or at least increase wildcard hopes.
- Bullpen concerns: The magnitude of the collapse throws a spotlight on a bullpen that New York must stabilize before late-season pressure intensifies. Manager Aaron Boone and pitching coach need answers on personnel and workload management.
Manager and player reactions
After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted the bullpen performance was “unacceptable” and stressed the team would regroup. Aaron Judge, while proud to move up the franchise leaderboard, focused on the team loss and the need to bounce back. On the Tigers’ side, manager A.J. Hinch praised the lineup’s resilience and the bullpen’s ability to close out the comeback. Postgame interviews and press conferences (available via team beat reports and MLB clips) emphasized accountability and next-game adjustments.
Historical perspective — how rare is a nine-run inning?
Nine-run innings are uncommon and typically swing both momentum and series outcomes. For the Yankees, allowing nine runs in a single inning—particularly in the late innings—ranks among their more embarrassing bullpen collapses of recent years, and the game will be reviewed as a case study in relief usage and matchup planning. For Detroit, the rally joins a list of late-inning explosions that can puncture opponents’ morale and serve as season highlights.
Tactical & roster notes — what the managers might change
Yankees: The obvious focus is bullpen evaluation. Whether it’s warming routines, matchups, or personnel adjustments, Boone must find reliable late-inning arms. Some suggested approaches from analysts include altering bullpen roles, tightening leverage usage, and perhaps pursuing reinforcements before the trade deadline (if any options remain) or managing recent call-ups differently.
Tigers: Detroit is likely encouraged by Mize’s strong outing and the lineup’s ability to produce in bursts. Maintaining offensive depth and preserving bullpen arms for the stretch drive will be priorities. The team’s use of Paddack for multi-inning relief shows creative bullpen deployment that could pay in long series.
get us going Gleyber! pic.twitter.com/WkIV1lEVN5
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 11, 2025
Fan reaction & social pulse
On social platforms and fan forums, the reaction split between celebrating Tigers fans—who hailed the comeback and the collective offensive effort—and Yankees fans decrying the bullpen collapse and lamenting lost postseason positioning. Clips of the nine-run inning and Judge’s milestone home run circulated widely, amplifying the narrative of an otherwise bittersweet night for the Bronx Bombers. Popular highlight reels and postgame reaction videos accumulated views on YouTube and MLB platforms.
Where to watch highlights & full replays
If you missed the game live, highlights and condensed replays are available on MLB.com’s highlights page and official MLB YouTube channel; ESPN and Fox Sports publish game recaps and highlight reels as well. Local affiliates (YES Network for Yankees audiences; Bally Sports Detroit for Tigers fans) will carry extended rehashes and player interviews. Also check social clips for the seven-run eruption and Judge’s homer.
What’s next — upcoming series and scheduling impact
- Yankees: Need to regroup quickly—September’s slate will test depth. Next opponents include divisional rivals and tough road trips that will determine whether New York can close ground in the AL East or secure a wildcard berth.
- Tigers: The win keeps their momentum rolling as they head into more late-season matchups. Maintaining veteran starters like Mize and getting consistent bullpen support will be essential in the final weeks. Check the Tigers’ schedule for next matchups and possible series implications.
Betting & fantasy implications
- Fantasy baseball: Parker Meadows and Kerry Carpenter both produced multi-RBI nights and could be trending for lineup consideration in daily formats. Aaron Judge’s long ball threading keeps him fantasy-valuable despite team struggles. Pitching managers may bench struggling Yankees relievers after such a meltdown.
- Betting markets: Blowouts like this can shift future lines; bettors should watch bullpen matchups and probable pitchers to avoid repeat value traps. Prop markets on Judge’s next home run or Mize’s next start volatility are likely to adjust.
Full box score summary (key lines)
Final: Tigers 12, Yankees 2. (See ESPN/MLB/CBSSports box score for complete lineups and inning-by-inning details.)
W: C. Mize (14–5) — L: F. Cruz (2–4) — S: C. Paddack (1)
HR: DET — P. Meadows (4); NYY — A. Judge (44), C. Bellinger (28).
Team H-R-E: DET 9-12-0; NYY 4-2-1. (CBSSports.com, FOX Sports)
Final take — Tigers’ late-inning offense steals the show; Yankees must rebuild bullpen trust
The Tigers vs Yankees matchup will be remembered for Detroit’s improbable and decisive seventh-inning rally, a game that combined clutch hitting, opportunistic baserunning and a Yankees relief corps that simply could not get an out when it mattered. For Detroit, it was a signature win on the road. For New York, it’s a cautionary tale about bullpen depth as September—and the postseason—loom.
Expect debates about bullpen usage, pitching roles, and late-inning matchups to dominate Yankees coverage in the next 48 hours. The Tigers, meanwhile, will enjoy the boost and look to ride the momentum into the final stretch of the season.