It was a rough night in Queens for the Tigers, as they dropped the series opener to the New York Mets 10-2 on Tuesday. But if you're looking for a bright spot—and a reason to grab that new Tigers cap—rookie catcher Dillon Dingler crushed his team-leading seventh home run of the season.

The game had its share of drama, starting with a bizarre play in the fifth inning that might have changed the outcome. Trailing 3-2, Colt Keith singled and moved to third on a Riley Greene single. When the throw got away, Keith broke for home—only to run smack into third base umpire Rob Drake. The collision knocked Drake down and cost Keith precious time, allowing Mets pitcher Freddie Peralta to recover and throw him out at the plate. It was that kind of night for Detroit.

Speaking of Peralta, the Tigers had him on the ropes early. They chased 48 pitches from him in the first two innings alone, scoring twice. Dingler's solo shot sailed over the short left-field wall, and after a Gage Workman double, Spencer Torkelson added a sacrifice fly. But Detroit couldn't deliver the knockout blow. Peralta settled in and shut them down through the sixth, and the Mets took control from there.

On the mound, Tigers starter Jack Flaherty never found his rhythm. Coming off a dominant 10-strikeout performance against Boston, he lasted just 3.2 innings and threw 97 pitches. Control was an issue—he walked three, bringing his season total to 29 walks in 36 innings—and the Mets squared him up, putting 15 balls in play with an average exit velocity of 94.3 mph. That the score was still close early was thanks to some stellar defense behind him.

For Tigers fans, it's a familiar story: flashes of promise mixed with frustration. Dingler's power surge is a genuine highlight, and the early fight showed this team won't quit. But inconsistency and tough breaks continue to define their season. With two more games in New York, they'll be looking to bounce back and show that opening night was just a bump in the road.