In what’s become a familiar story this season, ace Tarik Skubal once again took charge on the mound, guiding the Detroit Tigers to a 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Even on a day when the Tigers’ bats found the scoreboard only three times, Skubal’s masterful pitching was all the team needed to secure the weekend series win.
Bouncing back from a rare off-day where he allowed four runs against the Athletics, Skubal was nothing short of dominant against Minnesota. In a sparkling seven-inning performance, he gave up just a single hit, permitted only two baserunners, and racked up 13 strikeouts. Those 13 strikeouts evened his season high, previously set on May 25 in a decisive win over the Cleveland Guardians.
For the history buffs, Skubal’s feat was particularly impressive. He became the first Tigers pitcher ever to record 13 strikeouts while allowing no more than one hit, forever etching his name in Detroit’s record books.
This outing boosts Skubal’s already stellar season numbers. Over 17 starts, the American League Cy Young frontrunner boasts a 10-2 record, a remarkable 2.15 ERA, a stingy 0.83 WHIP, and a commanding 138 strikeouts. He’s been especially untouchable this month, winning all five of his starts and amassing 39 punchouts.
At the plate, right fielder Kerry Carpenter wasted no time putting Detroit on the board, launching his 16th home run in the first inning. He later added to the lead with an RBI triple, while Riley Greene chipped in with his 63rd RBI, contributing to Detroit’s 10-hit attack.
Skubal’s performance this season has been nothing short of sensational. Building on his breakout 2024 campaign, where he went 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts, he’s elevated his game even further this year.
With a 53-32 record, the Tigers find themselves tied with the Dodgers for the most wins in baseball, holding a commanding 11.5-game lead in the American Central. Next up, they head to Washington, D.C., for a three-game interleague series against the Nationals. It’s safe to say the Tigers are sitting pretty as they eye more success in the nation’s capital.
