Casey Mize navigated a Mets lineup that had given the Tigers trouble earlier in the series, throwing five solid innings as Detroit beat New York 6-2 on Wednesday to avoid a sweep.
Mize allowed one run on five hits and struck out five, showing sharper command and increased velocity after making adjustments in a longer bullpen session earlier in the week.
“Just needed to get back moving correctly on the mound, working on getting the ball out of hand and executing over the plate and normally, you work on one or two of those things, and I was working on all three,” Mize said.
The extra work showed. His fastball averaged 95.6 mph, up a full tick from his season average, while his sinker climbed to 96.0 mph, a 1.3 mph jump. His off-speed pitches also came with more life, as the slurve ticked up 1.5 mph and the slider gained 2.4 mph.
“He felt really good today, which was great, Tigers Manager AJ Hinch said. That was the best velo we’ve seen, the best execution we’ve have seen, did a good job emptying his tanks as much as he could.”
The velocity bump paired with meaningful spin-rate gains, most notably on his sinker (up 199 rpm) and four-seamer (up 121 rpm). His slurve also added 62 rpm, suggesting more late break. Only the splitter and slider dipped slightly in spin, but the added velocity compensated. The metrics suggested a pitcher with more bite and sharper command, signs of a starter moving closer to frontline form.
Detroit’s offense gave him early support. Jake Rogers delivered a two-out single in the second inning, scoring Zach McKinstry to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The Mets tied it in the fifth, but Detroit quickly answered back.
In the bottom half of the inning, Colt Keith and Kerry Carpenter worked for a pair of walks in the inning against New York starter Clay Holmes Former Tigers closer Gregory Soto then entered in relief, but a wild pitch allowed Keith to advance to third. Riley Greene followed with a single to center, scoring both Keith and Carpenter to make it 3-1.
Carpenter, who has struggled all year with runners in scoring position, entering the game hitting just .139 in those situations, came through in the seventh inning. With two on, he drove a three-run homer to right field, extending Detroit’s lead to 6-2.
The bullpen was tested when Kyle Finnegan exited with right groin tightness while warming up. Hinch said the reliever would undergo tests. Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest combined to allow just one run over three innings before Rafael Montero closed it out with a scoreless ninth, issuing only a walk to Francisco Lindor.
The Tigers improved to 81-60 with the win, while the Mets dropped to 76-65. Detroit has Thursday off before beginning a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.