DETROIT — Eric Haase’s five RBIs included a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning, lifting the Tigers to a 6-5 win over the Mets on Wednesday in the opener of a split doubleheader at Comerica Park.
Haase’s two run-scoring hits provided the bookends to a game that went back and forth like the Michigan spring weather. His first home run of the season was a three-run, opposite-field drive into the right-field greenery to give Detroit an early lead off Mets starter Joey Lucchesi, but Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer off Joey Wentz punctuated a three-run fifth to move New York in front.
Javier Báez’s third-inning solo homer was Detroit’s last baserunner until Matt Vierling’s bloop single to right eluded Starling Marte to begin the go-ahead rally in the eighth. Ottavino’s 1-2 pitch hit Báez to put the go-ahead run on base, then Riley Greene’s groundout to first advanced both runners. Haase lined the first pitch he saw from Ottavino into right-center field to bring them both in.
Haase finished one RBI off his career high set on July 3, 2021, against the White Sox. Tyler Alexander (1-0) retired the lone batter he faced on one pitch in the eighth for the win. Alex Lange fanned Brandon Nimmo on a check swing to earn his fourth save.