For six innings, Tarik Skubal looked like…well, mostly Tarik Skubal.
Nine strikeouts. No walks. Plenty of swings and misses.
The difference Wednesday night was that every mistake left the yard.
The New York Yankees hit three home runs off the reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, including a go-ahead two-run blast from Jasson Domínguez in the sixth inning, to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 and take the series at Comerica Park.
Skubal’s Rare Off Night
Giving up three home runs in a game is almost unheard of for Skubal.
It matched a career high and marked the first time since 2021 that he allowed three long balls in a single outing.
Outside of those swings, he was dominant.
Skubal surrendered only one additional hit while striking out nine over six innings without issuing a walk.
Sometimes baseball is cruel like that.
Goldschmidt Sets the Tone
Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt wasted no time.
After Skubal opened the game with three straight balls, Goldschmidt jumped on a 3-1 fastball and launched it over the left-field wall.
He wasn’t finished.
Goldschmidt added another solo homer in the third inning for his 13th of the season, briefly giving New York a 2-0 advantage.
During that inning, Skubal appeared to tweak his groin while pitching to Max Schuemann, but remained in the game after being checked.
Domínguez Delivers the Knockout
Following Goldschmidt’s second homer, Skubal retired nine consecutive hitters and looked poised to escape with the game tied.
Then everything changed with two outs in the sixth.
Ben Rice singled to extend the inning before Jasson Domínguez crushed a full-count pitch into the seats for the decisive two-run homer.
It was the swing that finally cracked one of baseball’s best pitchers.
Tigers Couldn’t Capitalize
Detroit managed only two runs against Ryan Weathers, who allowed six hits over six innings while striking out six.
The Tigers had opportunities but couldn’t deliver the big hit when they needed it.
New York’s bullpen handled the final two innings, with David Bednar recording his 16th save.
Up Next
The Tigers continue their homestand Thursday night when Troy Melton (4-0, 2.56 ERA) is expected to face Houston’s Tatsuya Imai (4-3, 6.15 ERA).
One rough night doesn’t change much about Tarik Skubal.
Three home runs are an exception, not the rule.
Against a Yankees lineup loaded with power, though, a few mistakes were enough to make the difference.