Diamondbacks Ruin Verlander's Return to Tigers with 9-6 Win

Corbin Carroll's 4 RBIs and Michael Soroka's immaculate inning lead Arizona to victory.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:32am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying the raw energy and motion of the sport.Cubist interpretation of a high-intensity baseball game, with players and action deconstructed into dynamic geometric shapes.Phoenix Today

The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Detroit Tigers 9-6 in their home opener, spoiling Justin Verlander's return to the Tigers. Corbin Carroll hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs, while Michael Soroka became the fourth pitcher in Diamondbacks history to throw an immaculate inning, striking out the side on nine pitches. Verlander, making his first start for Detroit since 2017, gave up five runs over 3 2/3 innings. The Diamondbacks built an 8-0 lead but the Tigers rallied with a six-run seventh inning before Arizona pulled away again.

Why it matters

This game marked the highly anticipated return of veteran pitcher Justin Verlander to the Detroit Tigers after spending the last several seasons with the Houston Astros. Verlander's struggles against the Diamondbacks' offense, including a big home run by Corbin Carroll, overshadowed his comeback and raised questions about his ability to still dominate at age 43. The Diamondbacks' win also demonstrated their offensive firepower and pitching depth as they look to build on a promising 2025 season.

The details

Corbin Carroll hit a three-run homer in the second inning off Verlander, the big blow in a five-run outburst by the Diamondbacks. Arizona starter Michael Soroka then made history by throwing an immaculate inning in the fifth, striking out the side on just nine pitches. Verlander was chased in the fourth inning after giving up six hits and five runs. The Diamondbacks built an 8-0 lead but the Tigers rallied with a six-run seventh inning to make it close before Arizona pulled away again.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Verlander was making his first start for the Tigers since 2017.

The players

Corbin Carroll

A young outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks who hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs in the game.

Michael Soroka

The Diamondbacks starting pitcher who threw an immaculate inning, striking out the side on just nine pitches.

Justin Verlander

The 43-year-old veteran pitcher making his return to the Detroit Tigers after spending the last several seasons with the Houston Astros.

Javier Báez

A Tigers infielder who was one of the three batters Soroka struck out in his immaculate inning.

Colt Keith

A Tigers player who had two doubles, including one that scored two runs, in the game.

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What’s next

The Diamondbacks and Tigers will face off again on Tuesday, with Arizona sending RHP Brandon Pfaadt to the mound and Detroit countering with RHP Casey Mize. Both pitchers will be making their first starts of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Diamondbacks' offensive firepower and pitching depth as they look to build on a promising 2025 season, while also raising questions about the 43-year-old Justin Verlander's ability to still dominate at the major league level after his return to the Tigers.