Tarik Skubal has become one of the best starters in the Major Leagues. With pitches that smoked yesterday at Minute Maid Park, home of the brand new Astros, the number one candidate to win the American League Cy Young Award led the Detroit Tigers to victory (3-1) against Houston, in the start of the wild card round of the playoffs.
Sukubal, winner of the Triple Crown of pitching by leading in games won, ERA and number of strikeouts, made good on that honor in his postseason debut. By keeping the renowned local hitters blank, the Tigers not only contained the rebellion of the Astros in the last inning, but also took the lead in a best-of-three series, which will continue this Wednesday.
Despite reaching the World Series in two of the most recent three years, with a win in 2022, Houston is now in danger of suffering an early exit. All this thanks to the stellar performance of Skubal, a figure of the Tigres who returned to the playoffs after a 10-year absence.
Against the most dangerous hitters, the Californian showed solvency throughout six complete innings, in which he distributed chocolates to six rivals and allowed only four hits. To correspond to that task, the Tigers scored three runs – all in the second inning – to Dominican starter Framber Valdez and added seven hits in four and a third rolls.
Wenceel Pérez was in charge of scoring the first line after a single by Jake Rogers. The visitors did not give up and extended the distance through Austin Meadows and Rogers himself. With Skubal’s fastballs from the mound, the Astros’ attempts to react did not prosper despite the push of thousands of fans.
The locals couldn’t beat the Detroit relievers either until they started one of their characteristic comeback warnings in the ninth inning. Zach Dezenzo put them on the board for the first time and the Astros later managed to load the bases when they had two out.
In the decisive action, Jason Heyward hit a pitch from left-handed Beau Brieske, but the ball was caught at first base by Spencer Torkelson, sealing the visitor’s victory. “That ninth inning was crazy, but we overcame it and took the victory,” said Jake Rogers. “Also, Skub was Skub again, he was electric. He challenged rivals all year.”
Royals take advantage
Yesterday the other wild card series were also inaugurated. Bobby Witt Jr. made an outstanding debut in the playoffs, driving in the only run as the Kansas City Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 in the American League matchup. A solid six inning effort by Cole Ragans backed up Witt Jr.’s winning play.
The Royals, who had not played a postseason game in nine years, thus had a triumphant return. Witt Jr., a 24-year-old shortstop who led the major leagues with 211 hits and a .332 batting average, singled to left field off a Corbin Burnes fastball with two outs in the sixth inning. Venezuelan Maikel García scored after stealing second base.
Just after Witt Jr. broke the score, Patrick Mahomes, star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, posted on social media: “Go Royals!” Mexican Ramón Urías went 1-for-3. Sam Long, Kris Bubic and Lucas Erceg, who earned the save, nullified Baltimore for the rest of the game.
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– 2024-10-04 11:31:31
