Tigers Take Down Rockies in Denver
Man, what a game! The Detroit Tigers and the Colorado Rockies went head-to-head at Coors Field on May 7th, 2025, and it was a wild, high-scoring affair. The Tigers pulled off the win, giving A.J. Hinch his 900th career victory as manager. It was a pretty stark contrast, seeing these two teams battling it out – one on a hot streak, the other… well, let’s just say they’re having a tougher time.
The Matchup: Two Teams on Different Paths
The Tigers came into Denver with a strong 22-13 record, feeling pretty good about themselves. Their offense was on fire, averaging over five runs a game. Kerry Carpenter was absolutely scorching hot, batting .355. Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene were also putting up some impressive home run and RBI numbers. On the mound, Jackson Jobe (2-0, 3.38 ERA) was looking to keep his winning streak going. They were the clear favorites going into this one.
The Rockies, on the other hand? A tough 6-28 record told the story. Their offense was really struggling, ranking last in team OPS with a measly .620. Hunter Goodman was a bright spot, but overall, things weren’t looking great. Rookie pitcher Chase Dollander (2-3, 6.48 ERA) was on the mound, hoping to find some consistency after a pretty up-and-down start to the season. It was definitely an uphill battle for them.
A Back-and-Forth Slugfest
The game itself? Wow. It was a rollercoaster. Both Jobe and Dollander got knocked around early, which just goes to show how potent both offenses could be on the right day. Ryan McMahon for the Rockies had himself a day, racking up four hits, including two doubles and a two-run homer. Michael Toglia also added a two-run shot. But the Tigers’ offense was just too much. Javier Báez came up clutch with some timely hits, and Torkelson and the rest of the lineup kept putting runs on the board.
We even went to extra innings! Can you believe it? And it was Torkelson who delivered the game-winning double in the 10th, sealing an 8-6 victory for the Tigers. That win also marked A.J. Hinch's 900th career win – a huge milestone for a great manager!
What’s Next for These Two?
The Tigers and Rockies played a doubleheader the following day, continuing their series. Honestly, it was a pretty fascinating contrast to watch – a team playing at a high level against one fighting to get out of a rut. The Tigers’ win really cemented their position, while the Rockies have some serious soul-searching to do. They’ve got a brutal schedule ahead, facing a lot of teams above .500. That doubleheader was a chance for both teams to see where they stood, and figure out what adjustments they need to make.
For the Rockies, it’s a long road ahead. They need to figure things out, both offensively and defensively. This series was a clear indication of where they are, and where they need to be.
The Bottom Line
The Tigers’ win in Denver showed a really interesting difference between two teams right now. The Tigers’ powerful offense and solid pitching, even with a rocky start from Jobe, overpowered the Rockies’ struggles. It was a perfect snapshot of their seasons so far: one team thriving, the other looking for answers. Both teams have some serious work to do as the season rolls on.