DETROIT — Tarik Skubal allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings and the Detroit Tigers took one other step towards an unbelievable postseason look with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.
Skubal (18-4), a number one candidate to win the AL Cy Younger award, struck out seven batters whereas strolling just one. He’ll get an opportunity for a nineteenth win on Sunday if the Tigers want him to beat the Chicago White Sox on the ultimate day of the common season to make the postseason.
The Tigers (83-74) started the day tied with Kansas Metropolis for the second and third wild-card spots — the Royals maintain the tiebreaker — and one sport forward of the Minnesota Twins. Sellers at MLB’s commerce deadline, Detroit is an MLB-best 28-11 since Aug. 11.
Reliever Beau Brieske retired the primary 5 batters he confronted earlier than Brandon Lowe homered with two outs within the ninth, pulling the Rays to inside 2-1, however he struck out Josh Lowe for his first save.
Tampa Bay (78-79) dropped 5 video games behind the Tigers.
Wenceel Pérez reached base 3 times for Detroit, strolling twice earlier than hitting a two-run double within the fifth.
Tampa Bay starter Ryan Pepiot (8-7) allowed two runs on three hits and 4 walks in six innings.
The Tigers had the primary good probability of the sport, placing runners on the corners with one out within the fourth, however Pepiot acquired Colt Keith to come out earlier than putting out Spencer Torkelson.
Detroit loaded the bases with one out within the fifth, thanks to 2 walks and a single. Perez fell behind 0-2 however labored the rely full earlier than hitting a ground-rule double on the ninth pitch of the at-bat.
The sport was moved up from 6:40 p.m. to 1:10 p.m due to a forecast for rain, then was delayed an hour by showers.
Detroit referred to as up right-hander Jackson Jobe, certainly one of baseball’s finest pitching prospects, to throw of the bullpen within the season’s last week. They made room for him on the roster by designating righty Shelby Miller for project.
UP NEXT
The groups play the second of three video games on Wednesday, with Detroit RHP Keider Montero (6-6, 4.86 ERA) dealing with Tampa Bay RHP Zack Littell (8-9, 3.56).