Kerry Carpenter's clutch homer led the Detroit Tigers to a 6-3 comeback win over the Minnesota Twins on Aug 5, 2025. Casey Mize earns his 10th victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think the Minnesota Twins have the upper hand, the Detroit Tigers remind everyone why they sit atop the AL Central. In a thrilling comeback at Comerica Park on Monday night, the Tigers used the long ball to erase a deficit and secure a massive 6-3 victory over their division rivals, extending their recent hot streak and sending a clear message to the rest of the league.
Kerry Carpenter's 437-foot missile in the sixth inning wasn't just a home run; it was a statement that echoed through the entire American League.
The game felt like a heavyweight bout, with both teams trading powerful blows. Minnesota launched three homers of their own, but the Tigers' resilience shone through. Down 3-1, Wenceel Pérez ignited the comeback with a game-tying two-run shot in the fifth. The real fireworks came in the sixth inning. With the game on the line, Kerry Carpenter stepped up and launched an absolute moonshot—a 437-foot, two-run blast that gave the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish. Dillon Dingler added a solo shot for good measure, and Kyle Finnegan slammed the door for his second save, capping a definitive team victory.
Let's not forget where this team was just a couple of weeks ago. Mired in a miserable 1-12 stretch, things looked bleak. But championship-caliber teams find a way to bounce back, and that's exactly what the Tigers have done. With this latest win, they've now rattled off six victories in their last eight games, improving to 65-48. This win over the second-place Twins wasn't just about one game; it was about solidifying their lead and proving that the recent slump was an anomaly, not the norm.
The storyline for Tuesday's rematch writes itself. The Tigers will send Chris Paddack to the mound, the very same pitcher they acquired from the Twins just last week on July 28. Paddack has a chance for immediate revenge against the team that traded him, but he'll have to overcome his past struggles—he's lost both of his previous starts against Minnesota this season. Facing off against the Twins' Zebby Matthews, this game is more than just a regular season contest; it's a personal test for Paddack and a huge opportunity for the Tigers to take a stranglehold on the series.
Last night was a statement. The bats are hot, the pitching is holding its own, and the Tigers are playing with a swagger we haven't seen all season. Tonight, the drama continues as the newly acquired Chris Paddack takes the mound against his former team. A win tonight wouldn't just be another notch in the belt; it would be a decisive blow in the race for the AL Central crown.
