Tarik Skubal delivered a stellar performance, pitching seven scoreless innings as the Detroit Tigers triumphed over the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 on Thursday night. This victory allowed the Tigers to bounce back from a heavy 10-1 loss the previous day, securing the final game of their three-game series.
Skubal, who captured the 2024 AL Cy Young Award unanimously, continued to impress by allowing just three hits and effectively controlling the game, striking out six and walking two. His outstanding effort lowered his earned run average to an impressive 1.99.
The Tigers scored all four of their runs in a pivotal fourth inning against Dean Kremer, who was initially set to pitch but was instead replaced by Keegan Akin as the opener. Although Kremer entered in the second inning, he struggled, conceding four runs and five hits over seven innings. Dillon Dingler initiated the scoring with a homer that sailed over the center field wall, following which Parker Meadows hit a three-run homer, marking his first of the season.
The Orioles managed to break the shutout in the eighth inning when Dylan Carlson hit a home run off reliever Tommy Kahnle. However, Will Vest sealed the game for the Tigers by pitching the ninth inning for his 12th save.
A standout moment in the game was Meadows’ impressive comeback after finding himself down 0-2 in the count. He launched a fastball into the right-field seats, further solidifying the Tigers’ commanding lead.
In the last 12 starts since April 2, Skubal has been exceptional with a record of 7-0, notching an impressive 101 strikeouts while walking only five. He has allowed just a single earned run in his last four outings, demonstrating his dominance on the mound.
As the Tigers prepare to return home for a matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, they continue to exhibit the strong form that has placed them at the top of the American League standings.
The Orioles, on the other hand, look to rebound as they face off against the Los Angeles Angels, with Charlie Morton slated to start their upcoming series.