Tigers Lose to Angels as Mize Goes Down

Mize’s Injury shuts down Tigers’ starter

Casey Mize, Detroit’s right‑hander, left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels after catching a grounder from Jo Adell. The ball left Adell’s bat at 108.8 mph, and Mize’s glove hand got jammed. He was pulled immediately, ending a start where he tossed 3⅓ innings. In that outing he allowed one earned run on five hits, struck out five and walked one.

Before the injury Mize entered the game with a 2.79 ERA, good for seventh in the American League and 18th overall among pitchers with at least ten starts. Manager A.J. Hinch had praised his developing spin and splitter command earlier in the week.

McGonigle’s Early Blast Gives Tigers a Brief Lead

Kevin McGonigle launched the game’s first home run, an opposite‑field, 402‑foot blast off Ryan Johnson, giving Detroit a 1‑0 lead in the opening frame. That was the Tigers’ only extra‑base hit until the late‑inning rally. The leadoff homer highlighted an otherwise quiet offensive night for Detroit.

Angels Bite Back, offensive spark from Neto

After Mize’s early exit, the Angels offense clicked into gear. Zach Neto singled to right in the sixth inning, plating a run and giving Los Angeles a 3‑1 cushion. The Angels held on for a 3‑2 win, with their bullpen also adding runs once the Tigers’ starter was out. Right‑hander Drew Anderson and Brenan Hanifee each surrendered runs in the shaky middle innings.

Anderson posted 1⅓ innings of relief, allowing a run on three walks and a hit. Hanifee tossed a single inning, giving up a run off two hits as Detroit’s rally stalled.

Tigers’ Late Rally Falls Short

Detroit finally broke the scoring drought in the ninth when Riley Greene launched a solo homer, pulling the Tigers within one run. Despite the late surge, the Angels’ 3‑2 edge proved insurmountable. Greene’s blast was the Tigers’ only extra‑base hit after Kevin McGonigle’s first‑inning home run.

The loss leaves the Tigers at 46‑53 and deepens their offensive struggles. Manager A.J. Hinch praised the effort but acknowledged the need for more consistent bats.

Looking Ahead: Road Trip to Chicago

Detroit continues its two‑city trek at Wrigley Field, opening a three‑game set against the Chicago Cubs. Right‑hander Jack Flaherty will take the mound Monday, followed by Framber Valdez and Keider Montero, who recently returned to the starting rotation. The Cubs sit second in the National League Central and hold the top wild‑card spot.

Chicago has shown a streaky rhythm this season, posting both a ten‑game win streak and a ten‑game skid. Their inconsistency makes each game unpredictable, and the Tigers will need to remain focused to avoid another setback.