The Detroit Tigers delivered another emphatic statement at Yankee Stadium on September 10, 2025, routing the New York Yankees 11-1 to clinch their first season-series win over the Bronx Bombers since 2011. For Tigers fans, it was a night to savor; for Yankees faithful, it was a sobering reminder that even the most storied franchises can be humbled on their home turf.
Gleyber Torres was the undeniable star of the show, driving in three runs against his former team, including a pivotal two-run single in the fifth inning that broke a tense 0-0 deadlock. Torres, who spent seven seasons in pinstripes before joining Detroit, received a warm ovation from the crowd. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch remarked after the game, "It's hard to come into this building and get cheered by the fans here from the other side. So it was a good moment for him. Hopefully, it creates a comfortable environment for him the next couple games to play." If comfort was the goal, Torres and the Tigers achieved it in style.
The Yankees, coming off a 12-2 drubbing in the series opener, hoped to bounce back behind ace Carlos Rodón, who entered the night with a career-high 16 wins—tied for the MLB lead. Early on, Rodón looked sharp, keeping the Tigers off the board through four innings. But the fifth proved fateful. Detroit loaded the bases with one out, and after a strikeout, Torres worked the count full before lining a single to center, plating two and giving the Tigers a lead they would never relinquish.
That breakthrough seemed to open the floodgates. The Tigers' offense, dormant early, came alive in the late innings, teeing off on a Yankees bullpen that has struggled mightily since the All-Star break. Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Colt Keith each launched two-run homers, all to right field, as Detroit poured on the runs. By the end of the night, the Yankees' relievers had surrendered nine runs, ballooning their post-break ERA to 5.37. Over the last two games, New York's bullpen has coughed up 18 earned runs—an alarming trend for a team with playoff aspirations.
The Tigers have now outscored the Yankees 23-3 over the past two nights and have won four of five meetings this season, with one game left in the series. The win improved Detroit's record to 84-62, allowing them to leapfrog Toronto (83-62) for the best mark in the American League. With the Kansas City Royals edging the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 elsewhere, the Tigers extended their AL Central lead to a commanding 9.5 games with just 16 contests remaining. Their magic number to clinch the division now stands at eight, putting them on the cusp of their first Central crown since 2014.
Jack Flaherty, Detroit's starter, continued his rollercoaster season with a vintage performance. Coming off a string of alternating strong and shaky outings, Flaherty was dominant, scattering two hits and a walk over five shutout innings while striking out seven. He needed 80 pitches to get through four innings but was rewarded for his effort with a fist-bump from Hinch and a chance to finish the fifth. Flaherty struck out the side in his final frame, earning his first win since August 19. His only real blemish was a high pitch count, but the Tigers bullpen picked him up in style.
Tyler Holton, Troy Melton, and Brenan Hanifee combined for four innings of relief, limiting the Yankees to just one run—a solo homer by catcher Austin Wells in the eighth. For the Yankees, Rodón (16-8) took the loss, allowing two runs and six hits over six innings with six strikeouts. It was a tough-luck defeat for Rodón, who had won his previous five starts and been a model of consistency for New York.
The Yankees' lineup, meanwhile, struggled to generate any offense. Aaron Judge, usually the heartbeat of the Bronx Bombers, went 0 for 3 and grounded into two double plays, dropping his batting average to .319. That slim lead atop the major league batting race is now less than a percentage point over Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, mired in a deep slump (.173 over his last 38 games), was benched in favor of José Caballero. The only bright spot for New York was Wells' late homer, a mere consolation in an otherwise forgettable night.
In a quirky twist, Yankees outfielder Austin Slater was called on to pitch the final two outs in the ninth, lobbing pitches as slow as 36.4 mph to get through the inning. It was a clear sign that New York had thrown in the towel, conceding the moment to the surging Tigers.
For Detroit, the contributions came from up and down the lineup. Greene finished with three RBIs, adding to his two-run blast. Carpenter and Keith also provided fireworks, each sending balls soaring into the right-field stands. The Tigers' offense, which has sometimes been inconsistent this season, looked relentless and opportunistic—stringing together quality at-bats, capitalizing on mistakes, and delivering in the clutch.
Notably, Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry missed his second straight game with upper back stiffness. Still, Detroit hardly missed a beat, with their depth and power on full display. The bullpen, meanwhile, kept its powder dry for the series finale, a luxury that could prove crucial as the Tigers eye a potential sweep.
With the victory, Detroit not only secured a rare season-series triumph over the Yankees but also sent a clear message to the rest of the American League: this team is for real, and they're peaking at the right time. The Tigers will look to complete the sweep on Thursday night, with right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-2, 5.59 ERA) set to serve as a bulk pitcher, while the Yankees counter with Cam Schlittler (2-3, 3.24 ERA).
As for the Yankees, the loss marked the third time in franchise history they've dropped back-to-back games by 10 or more runs—the last occurrences coming in 1908 and 1988. It's a dubious distinction for a proud club, and one that will no doubt have fans and management alike searching for answers as the postseason approaches. New York remains a fraction ahead of Boston for the top AL Wild Card spot, but with their bullpen reeling and their offense sputtering, the pressure is mounting in the Bronx.
The scene shifts now to Thursday's series finale, with Detroit aiming for a sweep and the Yankees desperate to stop the bleeding. If the past two nights are any indication, the Tigers have all the momentum—and the Yankees have plenty of soul-searching to do.
