Tigers drop 6th straight in an 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays on July 26. Tarik Skubal struggles in his return while Riley Greene homers in a losing effort.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was supposed to be the day the slide stopped. With AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal back on the mound and a hopeful crowd at Comerica Park, the script was written for a classic stopper performance. The Toronto Blue Jays, however, tore that script to shreds, routing the Tigers 11-4 and sending Detroit to its sixth consecutive loss. The mood has shifted from concern to alarm as the team's once-comfortable position feels increasingly precarious.
The Detroit Tigers have now lost six consecutive games, dropping their record to 60-45.
All eyes were on Tarik Skubal, fresh off the paternity list and tasked with halting the skid. But the ace looked uncharacteristically human. The Blue Jays' lineup, relentless from the start, tagged Skubal for multiple runs early, setting a tone the Tigers could never overcome. Even after he departed, the bullpen couldn't contain the damage, with Toronto's Anthony Santander putting the final nail in the coffin with a late two-run homer. The final score of 11-4 was a brutal reflection of a game that got out of hand quickly.
Amid the offensive onslaught from Toronto, Riley Greene provided a moment of hope. He launched a massive home run that, for a brief moment, cut the Blue Jays' lead to 3-2. Greene, who also added an RBI single, continues to be a crucial offensive force. His power is undeniable, but on a day when the pitching staff allowed 11 runs, one man's heroics were simply not enough to turn the tide.
The front office isn't sitting on its hands. In a direct response to the team's struggles, particularly from the bullpen during this losing streak, a change was made. Right-hander Carlos Hernández, who had struggled in recent appearances, was designated for assignment. In his place, the Tigers selected the contract of Geoff Hartlieb from Triple-A Toledo. Hartlieb, a recent minor-league signing, is being thrown into the fire with the hope that a new arm can provide some stability and stop the bleeding.
While the present feels grim, the future still holds promise. No. 10 prospect Troy Melton, who recently made his MLB debut, remains with the big-league club and is in the rotation mix, a testament to his impressive minor league season (2.99 ERA, 101 K's). Further down the pipeline, top infield prospect Kevin McGonigle is making steady progress in his rehab from hamate surgery. While his return isn't imminent, these developing players are a crucial reminder of the talent base the organization is building, even as the major league club weathers a significant storm.
Six straight losses. A 60-45 record that looks less impressive by the day. The Tigers are at a crossroads. The slump has now prompted a roster shuffle, and the pressure is mounting to get back in the win column immediately. Tomorrow is more than just another game; it's an opportunity to prove this skid is an aberration, not the new reality. The bats need to support the pitching, and the revamped bullpen will be under a microscope. It's time to see what this team is truly made of.
