Chris Paddack shines in his debut and Kerry Carpenter returns as the Tigers beat the Diamondbacks 7-2 on July 30. See how Detroit won its fourth straight game.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when the Comerica Park faithful were starting to sweat, the Detroit Tigers have roared back to life. Fueled by a brilliant debut from newly acquired pitcher Chris Paddack and the thunderous bat of a returning Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers dismantled the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2 on Wednesday, securing their fourth consecutive win and washing away the bitter taste of a recent 1-12 skid.
Chris Paddack in his Tigers debut: 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts, and 0 walks. Welcome to Detroit.
All eyes were on Chris 'The Sheriff' Paddack, and he delivered a command performance. Acquired just two days ago from the Twins, Paddack pitched with the poise of a seasoned veteran, carving up the Diamondbacks over six masterful innings. Allowing just one run and, crucially, zero walks, he gave the bullpen a much-needed rest and immediately validated the front office's decision to bring him in. His arrival couldn't have been timed better, providing a high-quality arm while ace Tarik Skubal is on the paternity list. The future is bright with Skubal's expected return after Friday, but Paddack's debut proves the Tigers have added serious depth for the stretch run.
If Paddack was the story on the mound, Kerry Carpenter was the headline at the plate. Fresh off the injured list, Carp looked like he hadn't missed a beat, single-handedly powering the offense. He ignited the scoring with a two-out RBI triple in the third inning and then blew the game open with a towering two-run homer in the fifth. His three RBIs were the difference-maker, and it's no coincidence that the team's four-game winning streak aligns perfectly with his return to the lineup. He is the offensive spark plug this team needs.
Let's be honest, that 1-12 stretch after the All-Star break was painful. But this team has shown its resilience. The 7-2 victory was a complete team effort, capped off by catcher Jake Rogers' two-run blast in the sixth that put the game on ice. With the win, the Tigers improve to 64-46 and now hold a commanding 9.5-game lead over Kansas City and Cleveland in the AL Central. The panic is over; the confidence is back.
The acquisition of Paddack was a fantastic start, but don't expect the Tigers to be done. With the trade deadline hitting tomorrow, the front office is reportedly working the phones to add even more firepower for a legitimate push for the franchise's first World Series since 1984. Whether it's another bullpen arm or a utility bat, the message is clear: Detroit is all in on 2025. The next 24 hours could shape the rest of the season.
Four straight wins, a new ace-like arm in the rotation, and a star slugger back in form. The Tigers are not just back on track; they're hitting the accelerator. As the trade deadline clock ticks down, the excitement in Detroit is palpable. This team is built to win now, and they're just getting started.
