SEATTLE — In a thrilling contest at T-Mobile Park, the Detroit Tigers secured their first victory of the 2025 season, defeating the Seattle Mariners 9-6 on March 31. The Tigers showcased their offensive prowess with a six-run first inning, highlighted by impressive performances from Riley Greene and Javier Báez.
The Tigers wasted no time in establishing dominance, sending 11 batters to the plate in the first inning. Greene opened the scoring with a solo home run, marking his first of the season, while Báez followed up with a two-run double that broke the game wide open. Dillon Dingler and Trey Sweeney each contributed with RBI singles, and Kerry Carpenter added an RBI single, finishing the inning with a commanding 6-0 lead.
“I think we just came out ready to hit,” said Báez, reflecting on the explosive start. “We wanted to make a statement after that tough series against the Dodgers.”
The Tigers finished the game with 18 hits, with Báez, Dingler, and Sweeney each notching three hits. Carpenter also had a strong showing with two hits and two RBIs. The team’s collective effort was a welcome sight after being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in their season-opening series.
On the mound, rookie Jackson Jobe made his first career start for the Tigers, allowing three runs on three hits over four innings. He struck out three but struggled with command, issuing four walks. Despite his challenges, Jobe's high-velocity fastball and slider showed glimpses of his potential.
“It was definitely a learning experience for me,” Jobe said after the game. “I need to work on my command, but I felt good out there overall.”
The Mariners, who fell to 2-3 with the loss, had their own moments of brilliance. Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh, and Luke Raley each hit home runs, with Raleigh’s two-run shot in the ninth inning providing a late spark. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.
“We battled back, but that first inning really hurt us,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson. “Our bullpen did a great job to keep us in it, but we just couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it.”
Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock, filling in for the injured George Kirby, had a rough outing, allowing six runs in just 0.2 innings pitched. He struggled with his command and was unable to escape the first inning without significant damage.
“I’m super frustrated just because I didn’t do my part in helping us get a win,” Hancock admitted. “I put us in too big a hole early on.”
The Tigers continued to add to their lead, scoring an additional run in the third inning and another in the fourth. Dingler’s RBI single in the fourth pushed the Tigers ahead 8-2, showcasing their offensive depth.
As the game progressed, the Mariners began to chip away at the lead. Arozarena hit a solo home run in the second inning, and Julio Rodríguez added an RBI groundout in the third. However, the Tigers maintained control of the game until the ninth inning.
In a last-ditch effort, Raleigh’s two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth brought the Mariners within three runs at 9-6, but Brant Hurter, who pitched the final three innings for the Tigers, managed to close out the game without further damage.
“We kept pressure, we kept trying to get back in the game,” Wilson noted. “Outstanding effort by our bullpen today, especially Carlos Vargas, who gave us three-plus innings.”
The Tigers will look to build on this momentum as they face the Mariners again on April 1, 2025. Casey Mize is set to take the mound for Detroit, while Seattle ace Logan Gilbert, boasting a 1.29 ERA, will oppose him.
With the win, the Tigers improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Mariners dropped to 2-3. Both teams are eager to find their rhythm as the season progresses.
“It feels good to finally get that first win,” said Greene. “We just need to keep this energy going.”
As the teams prepare for the next matchup, fans can expect another exciting game as both sides look to establish their identities early in the season.
