The Detroit Tigers entered Thursday's matchup against the New York Mets hoping to salvage the series finale—and for a brief moment, it looked like they just might pull it off. But a 9-4 loss at Comerica Park instead sealed a sweep that left fans shaking their heads. Here's what stood out, for better and worse.

One thing I loved: Gage Workman is making the most of his opportunity.

The 26-year-old infielder, who originally joined the Tigers as a 2020 draft pick before bouncing through the Rule 5 process, has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim stretch. His four hits since returning to the organization are all for extra bases—including two home runs and a double. Thursday's first-inning blast gave Detroit a 3-0 lead and showed the kind of pop that's been sorely missing from the lineup. For a player wearing No. 99 who isn't named Aaron Judge, that's a pretty impressive start: 4-for-9 at the plate in his first four games.

One thing I didn't: The Tigers keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Baseball is a game of momentum, and Detroit has been its own worst enemy. Workman's bat was a plus, but his glove told a different story—two errors in four games and a questionable read on a Zach McKinstry single that turned a potential big inning into a rally killer. Replays suggested he might have been safe on the play, but when you leave it up to the umpires, you're gambling. And right now, the Tigers aren't winning those bets.

This series against the Mets was a microcosm of a frustrating season. In all three games, Detroit jumped out to early leads—2-0 in the first two, 3-0 on Thursday—only to watch them evaporate. The offense scored in four innings Thursday but went silent when it mattered most. The pitching was inconsistent at best, and the defense? Let's just say it's been a rough watch, with the exception of a few sparkling plays.

For a team trying to find its identity, these are the growing pains that test patience. But if the Tigers can clean up the little things—and get more nights like Workman's at the plate—there's still reason to believe brighter days are ahead. After all, every great comeback starts with a single step forward.