In a thrilling showdown in Philadelphia, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers made a triumphant return to form, securing his first victory since June with a strong performance against the Philadelphia Phillies, defeating them 7-5. Skubal, who is an All-Star starter, showcased his skills by restricting the Phillies to three runs on five hits across seven innings, while recording an impressive 10 strikeouts.
The Tigers took an early lead, going ahead 5-0 before Bryce Harper ignited the Phillies with a single in the sixth inning. J.T. Realmuto followed with a double, bringing Harper home, and Nick Castellanos contributed with a two-run homer that narrowed Detroit’s lead to 5-3.
Javier Baez had a standout game for the Tigers, hitting a two-run double in the eighth, while Harper kept the Phillies’ hopes alive with a two-out, two-run home run in the same inning, marking his 18th of the season. Ultimately, Kyle Finnegan secured the victory for Detroit with a four-out save.
Zack Wheeler, the ace for the Phillies, suffered the loss, allowing three home runs — a season-high for him in 2023. This included solo shots from Colt Keith and Kerry Carpenter, along with Baez’s two-run homer. Despite the setback, Harper’s three-hit effort was a highlight for the Phillies.
The series will wrap up on Sunday, featuring Tigers’ veteran pitcher Charlie Morton against the Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez, who has been having an impressive season.
This win is a promising sign for the Tigers as they push through the second half of the season, showcasing both offensive power and strong pitching. Their performance against the Phillies sets a competitive tone for the remainder of the series.