Tarik Skubal received multiple standing ovations from Detroit Tigers fans on Wednesday in what could be his final appearance at Comerica Park before the MLB trade deadline. The two-time Cy Young Award winner delivered a strong outing against Baltimore, but the Tigers surrendered a seven-run lead before losing 10-9 to the Orioles in 12 innings.
Tarik Skubal Reaches 1,000 Career Strikeouts
A crowd of 34,406 gave Skubal a standing ovation after he struck out Baltimore leadoff hitter Taylor Ward on a 3-2 changeup. The strikeout marked the 1,000th of Skubal’s career.
Skubal reached the milestone in 857 innings, breaking Max Scherzer’s previous Tigers franchise record of 944 2/3 innings for the fastest pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeouts in club history.
“For some reason, strikeout marks hit differently for me,”
Skubal said reaching 200 strikeouts for the first time had been a major milestone and that approaching 1,000 strikeouts felt particularly meaningful.
Tigers Fans Give Skubal Another Ovation
Skubal received another strong ovation when Tigers manager A.J. Hinch removed him after Leody Tavares drove in a run with two outs in the seventh inning.
Skubal had carried a shutout into the seventh before Baltimore began its comeback. He left with Detroit leading 7-1, putting the Tigers in position to secure a win over an Orioles team they could potentially compete against for a wild-card spot later in the season.
“It is always special when our fans get to their feet and give you a pretty good ovation,”
Skubal said he hoped the fans felt that he had given everything to the Tigers and the city.
Orioles Complete Comeback Against Tigers
Detroit’s promising evening unraveled after Skubal departed. Baltimore turned a seventh-inning run into a five-run frame, then scored twice in the eighth to level the game.
The Orioles eventually scored three more runs in extra innings to complete a remarkable comeback and win 10-9 in the 12th.
The defeat dropped Detroit to 51-58 and left the Tigers well outside playoff position as the club approaches the final year of Skubal’s contract.
Skubal’s Future in Detroit Remains Uncertain
Skubal’s status has become a major storyline with the trade deadline approaching. As a two-time Cy Young Award winner and one of Detroit’s leading pitchers, he is viewed as a potential trade target.
Wednesday’s reception from Tigers supporters carried the feel of a farewell, although the game itself did not confirm that Skubal’s time in Detroit is ending.
For now, Skubal’s 1,000th career strikeout and the ovations from Detroit fans provided a memorable moment on a night that ultimately ended in a painful loss for the Tigers.
Source: The Associated Press (AP)
