Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal took the mound Tuesday for Sport 1 of an American League wild-card sequence.
The Tigers hoped Skubal’s stellar efficiency from the common season would carry over into the MLB postseason. He not solely met expectations, he exceeded them.
Skubal struck out six batters and didn’t permit an earned run over six innings to assist raise the Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
The win marked the primary postseason victory for the Tigers since Sport 4 of the AL championship sequence in 2013. It was the primary time Detroit certified for the playoffs since 2014.
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Tarik Skubal reacts after a strikeout in opposition to the Houston Astros within the sixth inning in Sport 1 of the wild-card spherical of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park in Houston Oct. 1, 2024. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Photographs)
The Astros are within the playoffs for a franchise-record eighth straight yr. Previous to Tuesday’s loss, Houston had received a MLB-record ten consecutive postseason openers. The sport additionally marked the Astros’ 98th postseason recreation since 2017.
Down 3-0 getting into the ninth, Houston scored on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single and had the bases loaded when Jason Heyward hit a game-ending line out in opposition to Beau Brieske.
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Skubal, the AL pitching Triple Crown winner, allowed simply 4 singles and walked one. About the one onerous hit by the Astros off him was one which hit Skuba. He was struck on his proper wrist by Diaz’s second-inning comebacker.
Detroit Tigers beginning pitcher Tarik Skubal throws in the course of the first inning of Sport 1 of an AL wild-card sequence in opposition to the Houston Astros Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photograph/Kevin M. Cox)
“It was a good challenge,” Skubal mentioned. “It was fun. It was a ton of fun. I enjoyed it. It’s probably the most nervous I’ve been since my debut. That was also fun to deal with. What a game. It was fun, glad to come out with a win.”
Yordan Alvarez, taking part in for the primary time since spraining his proper knee Sept. 22, doubled off Jason Foley beginning the ninth inning. Pinch runner Zach Dezenzo moved to 3rd on Alex Bregman’s infield single and Diaz singled on a grounder to proper.
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez hits a single in opposition to the Detroit Tigers in Sport 1 of the wild-card spherical of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park in Houston Oct. 1, 2024. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Photographs)
Jeremy Peña sacrificed, and Beau Brieske got here on in reduction with one out. Victor Caratini flied out to quick left. Chas McCormick walked, however Brieske retired Heyward to document the save.
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“Skubal has been really good all year,” Astros supervisor Joe Espada mentioned. “We had a few chances there in the middle of the game, and we couldn’t capitalize. But credit to him. He made pitches. And we battled until the end. We had a shot there in the ninth, and we just couldn’t get a big hit.”
The second recreation of the best-of-three sequence is scheduled for Wednesday in Houston.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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