Tigers' Tarik Skubal flirts with no-hitter in win, yields first 3-0 count hit in five years
TL;DR
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers nearly achieved a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, allowing a hit on a 3-0 count for the first time in five years. He ultimately secured the win despite the Red Sox loading the bases.
Key points
- Tarik Skubal nearly achieved a no-hitter
- Allowed a hit on a 3-0 count for the first time in five years
- Red Sox loaded the bases but Skubal secured the win
Tigers' Tarik Skubal flirts with no-hitter in win, yields first 3-0 count hit in five years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning Saturday at Fenway Park, Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal yielded a leadoff single to Boston Red Sox's Wilyer Abreu. The back-to-back Cy Young award winner could have lost his focus.
Still missing a no-hitter on his seven-year MLB resume, Skubal missed on his first three offerings to next-batter Ceddanne Rafaela. He then did something he hadn't done in five seasons, surrendering a hit on a 3-0 count.
Rafaela launched a 92-mph four-seam "get me over" fastball off the "Green Monster," settling for a double. Taking advantage of a rare Skubal lapse, the Red Sox loaded the bases with zero out when Caleb Dubin earned a four-pitch walk.
Skubal regrouped and induced Connor Wong to ground into a run-scoring double play. Isiah Kiner-Falefa flew out to center to end the inning.
Skubal (3-2) rebounded and finished with 10 strikeouts in six innings as the Tigers ended a nine-game road losing streak with a 4-1 victory.
Tigers' Tarik Skubal suffers rare lapse on 3-0 pitch
Rafaela's hit on Skubal's three-ball, no-strike pitch was the first Skubal surrendered since Cleveland Guardians' Jose Rameriz singled May 25, 2021.
The 29-year-old left-hander yielded just four hits Saturday and reached double-digits in strikeouts for the 18th time in his career. He accomplished the feat 10 times last season.
A two-time All-Star, Skubal rarely loses focus as he did in the fifth inning Saturday, but he recovered in the sixth to collect two swinging strikeouts and a groundout to end his quality start.
Was the free-agent-to-be bothered by losing his no-hit bid?
Perhaps, but by regaining his on-mound composure, Skubal demonstrated why he's prepared to command one of the richest free-agent contracts in league history next offseason.
Wonder what the morning sports-betting odds will be for the next time Skubal allows a hit off a 3-0 pitch?
Q&A
What did Tarik Skubal achieve in his game against the Red Sox?
Tarik Skubal carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a hit on a 3-0 count.
Who was the first player to hit off Tarik Skubal on a 3-0 count in five years?
Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox was the first player to hit off Tarik Skubal on a 3-0 count in five years.
How did the game progress after Skubal allowed a hit on a 3-0 count?
After allowing the hit, Skubal faced a bases-loaded situation but managed to induce a double play to end the inning.
