Tarik Skubal delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night, striking out seven batters over seven scoreless innings to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 4-1 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch praised Skubal’s versatility, noting his ability to mix pitches effectively despite hitting 100 mph on the radar. Skubal (9-3) allowed just three hits and a walk while hitting one batter during his dominant outing.
“He’s got really good stuff and he comes right after you,” commented Phillies manager Rob Thomson, endorsing Skubal as a potential All-Star.
The Tigers capitalized in the fifth inning, breaking a scoreless deadlock with a four-run surge highlighted by Andy Ibáñez’s two-run single. This offensive outburst snapped Detroit’s seven-game losing streak against Philadelphia.
In the ninth inning, Bryce Harper homered off Tigers closer Jason Foley, marking his third double and second home run in the series, contributing to six RBIs over two games.
The anticipated pitcher’s duel between Skubal and Ranger Suárez saw Suárez (10-2) keep Detroit scoreless through four innings before yielding four runs in the fifth.
Philadelphia, previously victorious in three consecutive games by a combined score of 24-3, missed key opportunities early on, notably with Harper’s double in the third inning.
The series concludes Wednesday afternoon, with RHP Spencer Turnbull (3-0, 2.63 ERA) facing his former team. The Tigers plan to utilize multiple relievers in the final game against the Phillies.
