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The Detroit Tigers threatened a late rally in the series finale against the Seattle Mariners, but the ninth-inning comeback fell short Wednesday.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the ninth inning trailing 3-2 with one out, but could not plate the tying or go ahead runs as they ended the season-opening six-game road swing.
The Tigers failed to climb out of an early hole after a fielding blunder in the second inning.
That was when Tigers ace Tarik Skubal forced a grounder from J.P. Crawford to second base with two outs and a runner on first. Colt Keith fielded it with ease and spun to second, trying to get the runner on base. But, he was tardy, held the ball and flipped to first, where the runner beat out the throw, extending the inning.
More: Tarik Skubal's amazing, heartfelt trip home to Seattle U revealed a lot about who he is
On the next pitch, Victor Robles sent a changeup over the middle from Skubal into the left center-field gap for a two-RBI double with two outs for an early lead.
The mistake loomed large as the Tigers' bats stayed, finishing with six hits and two runs scored in the fifth inning off Mariners starter Luis Castillo.
In the fourth inning, Skubal left a slider above the belt on the first pitch to third baseman Dylan Moore, who sent it over the right field wall for a 348-foot solo home run.
The Tigers answered with a solo home run from Trey Sweeney in the fifth inning, followed by a Riley Greene RBI on a fielder's choice to make it 3-2.
But, the Tigers only had one base runner over the next three innings on a Keith walk. Keith was the next baserunner in the top of the ninth after drawing his third walk, followed by a walk drawn by Justyn-Henry Malloy.
Dillon Dingler loaded the bases with one out with a softly-hit single to left, but closer Andrés Muñoz got Javier Báez to ground out and Zach McKinstry to strikeout, escaping the jam.
The Tigers failed to sweep after winning the first two games of the series, 9-6 on Monday and 4-1 on Tuesday. They return to Detroit for the home opener at Comerica Park against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Skubal bounced back from Moore's solo shot by retiring seven batters in a row, including four by strikeout.
He struck out Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena in the fifth inning, all on swinging misses against fastballs above 97 mph. Skubal, who threw 93 pitches, induced 23 swings and misses — one short of his career high.
In the sixth inning, he struck out Mitch Garver for a third time in as many at-bats and got Jorge Solano to pop out. He fell behind Moore early in the count and eventually walked him before he was replaced by Brennan Hanifee.
Skubal gave up three runs on six hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in 5⅔ innings. He is up to half as many losses as he had in his Cy Young-winning season in 2024.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Tarik Skubal's amazing, heartfelt trip home to Seattle U revealed a lot about who he is
The Tigers managed one hit the first time through the lineup on an opposite field ground-rule double by Riley Greene in the first inning. Castillo retired the next seven batters to get through the first three innings scoreless.
Sweeney got the scoring started after he ambushed an inside slider for a 378-foot home run to right field to lead off the fifth inning. Then, Ryan Kriedler reached on a single and moved to third on a Zach McKinstry base knock. Greene, who had two hits, plated Kriedler on a fielder's choice to make it 3-2.
But Castillo didn't give up any other damage outside of the fifth inning. The three-time All-Star right hander gave up two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over seven innings on 92 pitches.
Jared Ramsey covers sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers score: Tigers threaten but suffer 3-2 loss to Mariners
Continue reading...
The Tigers loaded the bases in the ninth inning trailing 3-2 with one out, but could not plate the tying or go ahead runs as they ended the season-opening six-game road swing.
The Tigers failed to climb out of an early hole after a fielding blunder in the second inning.
That was when Tigers ace Tarik Skubal forced a grounder from J.P. Crawford to second base with two outs and a runner on first. Colt Keith fielded it with ease and spun to second, trying to get the runner on base. But, he was tardy, held the ball and flipped to first, where the runner beat out the throw, extending the inning.
More: Tarik Skubal's amazing, heartfelt trip home to Seattle U revealed a lot about who he is
On the next pitch, Victor Robles sent a changeup over the middle from Skubal into the left center-field gap for a two-RBI double with two outs for an early lead.
The mistake loomed large as the Tigers' bats stayed, finishing with six hits and two runs scored in the fifth inning off Mariners starter Luis Castillo.
In the fourth inning, Skubal left a slider above the belt on the first pitch to third baseman Dylan Moore, who sent it over the right field wall for a 348-foot solo home run.
The Tigers answered with a solo home run from Trey Sweeney in the fifth inning, followed by a Riley Greene RBI on a fielder's choice to make it 3-2.
But, the Tigers only had one base runner over the next three innings on a Keith walk. Keith was the next baserunner in the top of the ninth after drawing his third walk, followed by a walk drawn by Justyn-Henry Malloy.
Dillon Dingler loaded the bases with one out with a softly-hit single to left, but closer Andrés Muñoz got Javier Báez to ground out and Zach McKinstry to strikeout, escaping the jam.
The Tigers failed to sweep after winning the first two games of the series, 9-6 on Monday and 4-1 on Tuesday. They return to Detroit for the home opener at Comerica Park against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Skubal finishes strong after early misses
Skubal bounced back from Moore's solo shot by retiring seven batters in a row, including four by strikeout.
He struck out Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena in the fifth inning, all on swinging misses against fastballs above 97 mph. Skubal, who threw 93 pitches, induced 23 swings and misses — one short of his career high.
In the sixth inning, he struck out Mitch Garver for a third time in as many at-bats and got Jorge Solano to pop out. He fell behind Moore early in the count and eventually walked him before he was replaced by Brennan Hanifee.
Skubal gave up three runs on six hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in 5⅔ innings. He is up to half as many losses as he had in his Cy Young-winning season in 2024.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Tarik Skubal's amazing, heartfelt trip home to Seattle U revealed a lot about who he is
Castillo cruises
The Tigers managed one hit the first time through the lineup on an opposite field ground-rule double by Riley Greene in the first inning. Castillo retired the next seven batters to get through the first three innings scoreless.
Sweeney got the scoring started after he ambushed an inside slider for a 378-foot home run to right field to lead off the fifth inning. Then, Ryan Kriedler reached on a single and moved to third on a Zach McKinstry base knock. Greene, who had two hits, plated Kriedler on a fielder's choice to make it 3-2.
But Castillo didn't give up any other damage outside of the fifth inning. The three-time All-Star right hander gave up two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over seven innings on 92 pitches.
Jared Ramsey covers sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers score: Tigers threaten but suffer 3-2 loss to Mariners
Continue reading...
