Despite all the challenges Detroit Tigers’ fans have faced this season, including highs and lows, they can always look forward to watching Tarik Skubal every fifth day. And, as demonstrated once more on Sunday, that experience is truly exceptional.
On the day he was anticipated to be named to the American League All-Star team, Skubal pitched superbly against the Cincinnati Reds, throwing seven innings and aiding the Tigers in finishing a three-game sweep at Great American Ball Park with a 5-1 victory.
Tarik Skubal pitched brilliantly as the Detroit Tigers completed a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 5-1 victory at Great American Ball Park. Skubal, likely headed to the All-Star team, struck out 13 batters over seven innings, setting a career-high. Despite a minor error leading to a run in the seventh, Skubal’s dominant performance secured the win for the Tigers.
McKinstry compensated for his earlier mistake in the eighth inning by contributing significantly throughout the game. He singled to drive in a run in the fourth inning and later, after Gio Urshela reached base due to an error, McKinstry hit a powerful two-run homer to right field. However, the standout performance of the day was by Skubal, who achieved strikeouts with four out of his five pitches and secured four early called strikes with his knuckle curveball.
The Reds struck out on 23 out of 51 swings. Skubal induced 12 misses on 18 changeup swings, 5 misses on 16 four-seamer swings, and 6 misses on 12 slider swings. Skubal’s performance placed him alongside Mickey Lolich in Tigers history, as the only two pitchers to achieve 13 strikeouts, no walks, and allow one or no runs in a start for the club.
The Tigers’ only negative moment came when centerfielder Parker Meadows left the field limping after he was caught stealing second base to end the eighth inning, grabbing his hamstring.
Meadows, recently promoted from Triple-A Toledo last Friday, recorded four hits in the series, including an RBI single on Sunday. The Tigers (42-48) managed to finish the three-city, 10-game road trip with a 5-5 record.