In a must-win spot, the Detroit Tigers roared back to life with a stunning late-game rally. They knocked off the Seattle Mariners 9–3 in Game 4 of the AL Division Series, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
Javier Báez delivered a statement performance from the ninth spot in the order. The victory evens the series at 2–2 and sets up a dramatic winner-take-all Game 5 in Seattle.
Late-Inning Magic Turns the Tide
Through the first four innings, the Tigers’ offense looked flat. It was the same sluggishness that had haunted them earlier in the series.
Seattle’s Bryce Miller, who had dominated Detroit before, looked locked in. Then came the sixth inning—a turning point that electrified Comerica Park and flipped the momentum.
Javier Báez Leads the Charge
Báez, hitting ninth, put on a hero’s performance. His two-run homer finally put Detroit on the board and sparked a relentless offensive surge.
He finished with four RBIs and became the catalyst behind a seven-run outburst spanning the sixth and seventh innings. Performances like this show how dangerous the Tigers can be when their depth steps up under pressure.
Contributions Across the Lineup
The offense didn’t stop with Báez. Rookie Riley Greene delivered the night’s most emotional blow—a go-ahead home run off lefty Gabe Speier that snapped his 0-for-9 slump and sent fans into a frenzy.
Greene’s timing couldn’t have been better. His blast instantly shifted the game’s narrative.
More Players Step Up
Gleyber Torres joined the home run parade, adding crucial insurance as Detroit’s bats stayed hot. Earlier, Spencer Torkelson and Dillon Dingler jump-started the comeback with back-to-back hits, igniting a three-run rally in the sixth.
When top prospects and veterans both contribute, the lineup becomes a puzzle that opposing pitchers just can’t solve.
Seattle’s Missed Opportunities
Detroit’s surge was impressive, but Seattle’s missed chances played a huge part. They struck early with solo home runs in the second, fourth, and fifth innings, building a 3–0 lead.
But in the fourth inning, with the bases loaded, the Mariners came up empty. That wasted chance ended up looming large.
Bullpen Breakdown
Mariners relievers Speier and Eduard Bazardo, who’d carried a heavy load this series, just couldn’t stop Detroit’s momentum. Over a combined five outs, they surrendered five runs and let the game slip away.
Against a team riding a wave of energy and confidence, mistakes like that get magnified in October baseball.
Key Factors in the Tigers’ Comeback
Patience at the plate, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning fueled Detroit’s rally. Relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan deserves credit too—his work in the fourth, holding Seattle to just one run with the bases loaded, kept the Tigers within reach.
- Clutch hitting from Báez, Greene, and Torres
- Strong situational pitching by Finnegan
- Seattle’s inability to convert scoring chances
- Comerica Park’s home atmosphere lifting Detroit’s energy
Looking Ahead to Game 5
With the series tied, everything comes down to Game 5 in Seattle. Detroit plans to send hard-throwing lefty Tarik Skubal to the mound, while the Mariners counter with their ace George Kirby.
This pitching matchup promises drama. Both teams want to ride their starters deep into the game, and honestly, who knows what’ll happen next?
The Return of the Tigers’ Postseason Mantra
Last postseason, Detroit latched onto their rallying cry: “Don’t let the Tigers get hot.” After a slow start to this series and a wave of criticism about their offense, Friday night hinted that mantra might matter again.
If Game 4’s eruption means anything, the Tigers could be heating up at just the right moment.
The stage is set. Stakes? Couldn’t be higher. Baseball fans everywhere are bracing for the drama of a do-or-die Game 5.
Will Detroit keep rolling, or does Seattle snatch back control? It’s all going to come down to who grabs the moment—and honestly, October baseball never fails to remind us that momentum can be just as wild and important as raw talent.
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Here is the source article for this story: Mariners-Tigers Game 4 takeaways: Detroit’s bats power their way back to Seattle
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