Javier Baez homers as Tigers win opener of season-ending series

Riley Greene, Jonathan Schoop, Victor Reyes

Detroit Tigers center fielder Riley Greene, left, second baseman Jonathan Schoop, center, and right fielder Victor Reyes allow a fly ball hit by Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez to drop for a hit during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)AP

Javier Baez hit a two-run homer and Bryan Garcia made a successful spot start as the Detroit Tigers beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Monday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

The Tigers (66-93) have won 11 of their last 13 games. They have three more this week against the Seattle Mariners (87-72), who have already clinched a playoff spot.

The Tigers scored first against Mariners starter George Kirby when Akil Baddoo drew a lead-off walk, stole second and then scored on Miguel Cabrera’s single.

Detroit tacked on two more in the third with Baez’s two-run line-drive homer to the opposite field, his team-leading 17th of the season.

Garcia, called up from Triple-A Toledo to make a late-season spot start, made another good impression, allowing three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked two.

Andrew Chafin struck out two and pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

Former Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd kept the Mariners in the game, pitching scoreless fifth, sixth and seventh innings while striking out five.

Box score

Up next

The Tigers and Mariners play a doubleheader Tuesday beginning at 6:10 p.m. Eastern time. Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (5-5, 4.02 ERA) will face M’s lefty Marco Gonzales (10-15, 4.14). The Tigers haven’t announced their starter for Game 2, although right-hander Elvin Rodriguez (0-3, 10.04) is likely to pitch several innings, even if he doesn’t start. Right-hander Chris Flexen (8-9, 3.64) will go for the Mariners.

Akil Baddoo

Detroit Tigers left fielder Akil Baddoo makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)AP

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