Tarik Skubal was nearly unhittable, and when the Detroit Tigers needed one more big out, their bullpen and defense delivered.
Skubal tied a franchise postseason record with 14 strikeouts, and the Tigers squeezed past the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series. With the victory, Detroit can advance to the AL Division Series for the second straight season with another win on Wednesday.
The Tigers’ ace was overpowering throughout the night, blowing fastballs past Cleveland hitters while mixing in just enough off-speed to keep them off balance. Skubal went 7 2/3 innings, throwing 107 pitches — one shy of his career high — and allowed just one run on three hits, two of which never left the infield. He walked three. His four-seam fastball averaged 99.1 mph, nearly two miles faster than his season average.
It was a sharp contrast from his last start in Cleveland, when a 99 mph heater sailed up and struck Guardians designated hitter David Fry in the face. On Tuesday, there was no wildness — only dominance.
“Tarik was in complete control,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “Every time Cleveland threatened, he reached back and had a little extra.”
The Tigers struck first in the opening inning when Kerry Carpenter singled and advanced to second on a misplay by Cleveland right fielder Johnathan Rodríguez. Spencer Torkelson followed with a two-out bloop single to left, scoring Carpenter for a 1-0 lead.
Cleveland manufactured the tying run in the fourth without hitting the ball hard. Angel Martínez reached on a slow roller between Skubal and second baseman Gleyber Torres. José Ramírez drew a walk, and with two outs, Gabriel Arias chopped a bouncer that died in the grass between the mound and second. Skubal fielded the ball as Martínez raced home. Initially ruled out on a close play at the plate, replay overturned the call, and the Guardians pulled even 1-1.
Detroit reclaimed the lead in the seventh with small ball. Riley Greene singled, advanced to third, and then scored when Zach McKinstry dropped down a perfectly executed safety squeeze. The bunt rolled just far enough for Greene to slide home ahead of the tag, putting the Tigers up 2-1.
Skubal exited to a standing ovation after striking out Arias for the second out of the eighth. Reliever Will Vest entered and got the final out, then faced a dicey ninth inning.
Ramírez led off with an infield single and advanced all the way to third when shortstop Javier Báez’s throw skipped wide of first. With the crowd on its feet, Vest struck out pinch-hitter George Valera. Kyle Manzardo then hit a comebacker to the mound, and Ramírez broke for home. Vest calmly chased him down and applied the tag for the second out. Moments later, C.J. Kayfus lofted a shallow fly to Báez in left field, sealing the tense 2-1 win.
“It’s playoff baseball — every little thing matters,” Skubal said. “McKinstry’s bunt, Vest staying composed in the ninth, it all adds up. That’s how you win in October.”
Cleveland starter Gavin Williams nearly matched Skubal pitch for pitch. The young right-hander gave up just five hits in six-plus innings, striking out eight and walking one. Both runs he allowed were unearned, the product of defensive miscues that proved costly.
Now, with elimination on the line, the Guardians must regroup quickly for Game 2.
“Gavin gave us a chance,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “We didn’t execute the way we needed to in the field. Against a pitcher like Skubal, you don’t get many second chances.”
