Detroit Tigers waste gem from Framber Valdez in return from suspension

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

“I hope he understands how important he is to us to get back on track,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday.

That’s exactly what they got, as Valdez gave up just two runs off five hits, walked two and had seven strikeouts in 6⅔ innings, throwing 106 pitches.

Valdez left the game in the seventh inning with two on and two outs, as the Tigers held a 2-1 lead.

Hinch brought in Kyle Finnegan to face Bo Bichette. But it didn't work.

Bichette looped a ball that was just far enough to be out of the reach of second baseman Zach McKinstry, but not far enough for the outfielders to reach, as the Mets tied it up, 2-2.

But the Tigers got out of trouble on a wild play when Bichette tried to steal second. Catcher Dillon Dingler threw down and Zach Short caught the ball and fired home, as Dingler tagged out Benge at the plate on his own attempted steal.

It was clean execution, the kind of thing the Tigers had been missing.

Carson Benge of the New York Mets is caught stealing home by Dillon Dingler of the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Citi Field in New York on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Riley Greene comes through

The massive scoreboard in Citi Field flashed an interesting stat before the Tigers played the Mets.

It said that left-handed hitters were 2-for-23 against right-hander Christian Scott, starting the game for the Mets.

And it was like a challenge, which the Tigers gladly accepted.

The Tigers had a tremendous opportunity in the first inning after lefty Kevin McGonigle walked and Dingler doubled. A tremendous opportunity for lefty Riley Greene, who laced a shot over shortstop, driving in two runs.

Greene has now gotten on base in 23- traight games, his career high.

Dingler crushed it in the two hole

Hinch moved Dingler up to the No. 2 hole in the batting order and the catcher responded.

He had two hits, including a double and scored a run.

But he was also involved in a strange play.

In the seventh inning, Dingler had a tremendous at bat, fouling off six straight balls.

But he was called out on a pitch clock violation by home plate umpire Junior Valentine, who tried to make himself a big part of this game.

Tigers execute cleaner baseball

In the third inning, Valdez got exactly what he wanted.

He got Luis Torrens to hit a grounder to second. But it bounced just out of the reach of McKinstry.

Then, Benge did the same thing. He hit a grounder that bounced just out of McKinstry’s reach.

That put runners on first and third.

Hinch brought the infield in and Bichette hit a slow roller to Spencer Torkelson at first. Torkelson fielded it cleanly and decisively threw home, cutting down Torrens.

It was the kind of play that the Tigers had not been making.

“We address it every day,” Hinch said before the game. “We know haven't been a great defensive club. We know that we've made some mistakes. And quite honestly, I look at plays that aren't considered errors, that are still mistakes. And so, we address it every day. It's something that we know we need to be better at if we're going to win more games and play a cleaner brand of baseball.”

Valdez got out of trouble when Mark Vientos flew out to the center field warning track.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers fall to New York Mets again, this time in 10 innings