Guardians Take AL Central Lead as Tarik Skubal’s Costly Inning Sinks Tigers
DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers’ bid to reclaim the top of the American League Central unraveled Tuesday night in a game that began with promise and ended in frustration. A 5–2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians not only dropped Detroit out of first place but also raised unsettling questions about their ability to handle the pressure of September baseball.
For most of the summer, left-hander Tarik Skubal has been the Tigers’ anchor, a breakout ace whose power fastball and poise steadied a young roster. But on this night, the rhythm faltered. After cruising through the first few innings, Skubal lost command in the fifth, issuing two walks and leaving a fastball over the plate that Cleveland slugger José Ramírez drilled into right-center for a two-run double.
“It’s on me,” Skubal said afterward, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t execute pitches when I needed to, and in a game like this every mistake matters.”
The Guardians capitalized quickly. Andrés Giménez followed with a sharp single to plate another run, and suddenly a game that had been tied turned into an uphill climb. Comerica Park fell into an uneasy quiet as the Guardians celebrated on the bases.
Detroit’s offense, which has struggled for consistency all season, couldn’t mount a comeback. Spencer Torkelson provided a brief spark with a solo home run in the sixth, but the Tigers managed only two other hits with runners in scoring position.
Manager A.J. Hinch refused to pin the loss solely on his ace. “This is a team game,” Hinch said. “Tarik has carried us so many times. Tonight just wasn’t our night, and we didn’t pick him up offensively.”
The defeat stung beyond the box score. Entering the night, Detroit and Cleveland were deadlocked atop the division. The Guardians now hold a one-game edge and the season-series tiebreaker, giving them the inside track if the race remains tight.
Fans, who had packed Comerica Park with playoff-level energy, left with a mix of disappointment and determination. On social media, reactions blended frustration with belief. “Skubal’s been our rock,” one supporter posted. “He’ll bounce back—we’re still in this.”
The Tigers have little time to dwell. With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, every inning looms large. A pivotal series against the Kansas City Royals begins Friday, and the margin for error is thin.
Despite the setback, Detroit remains very much alive in the playoff hunt. Skubal, who has pitched like an All-Star for most of the year, vowed to respond. “We’ll be ready,” he said. “This isn’t over.”
For a franchise eager to return to October baseball, Tuesday’s loss was a harsh reminder of the stakes. The Tigers’ path forward will depend on how quickly they can shake off a night when their ace blinked and the division lead slipped away.
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