The Detroit Tigers let another golden opportunity slip through their fingers on Wednesday night at Citi Field, wasting a masterful performance from Framber Valdez in a 3-2 extra-inning loss to the New York Mets.

Making his first start after serving a five-game suspension, Valdez delivered exactly what the Tigers desperately needed: a quality start. The left-hander worked 6⅔ innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking two. He left in the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead, two outs, and two runners on base—a moment that should have been the turning point for a struggling ballclub.

But baseball can be cruel. Manager A.J. Hinch turned to reliever Kyle Finnegan to face Bo Bichette, and the Mets shortstop looped a ball just beyond the reach of second baseman Zach McKinstry, tying the game. From there, the Tigers' bats went silent when it mattered most.

The numbers tell the story: Detroit went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving the bases loaded with the game on the line. Carson Benge delivered the dagger in the 10th inning, singling up the middle to score A.J. Ewing and hand the Tigers their 12th loss in 17 games.

Valdez, the Tigers' ace with Tarik Skubal on the injured list, had been suspended for intentionally throwing at Boston's Trevor Story. "I felt pretty bad once I got the news because I had to stay away," Valdez said through interpreter Carlos Guillen. The Tigers needed him to be the stopper. He was. But the lineup couldn't back him up.

The series finale is set for Wednesday afternoon, with right-hander Keider Montero expected to take the mound. Rain is in the forecast, but the Tigers are hoping for more than just clear skies—they need a spark. With help reportedly on the way, this team knows it has to turn things around before the season slips away entirely.