Tarik Skubal's unbeaten streak ends as the Tigers fall 12-3 to the Mariners on July 12. See how the historic run unraveled for Skubal and the Tigers.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, it had to happen eventually. After three incredible months of dominance, Tarik Skubal's historic unbeaten streak came to a crashing halt on Saturday night. The Detroit Tigers fell 12-3 to the Seattle Mariners in a game that felt close for a moment before getting completely out of hand, reminding everyone that even the best aces are human.
During his 16-start unbeaten streak, Tarik Skubal went a remarkable 10-0 with a 1.62 ERA.
For the first time since early April, a '3' will appear in Tarik Skubal's loss column. The Tigers' ace (10-3) labored through five innings, surrendering four runs on four hits and a couple of walks. While his five strikeouts showed flashes of his usual self, it was clear this wasn't the untouchable Skubal we've grown accustomed to. The loss ends a phenomenal 16-start run where he was simply one of the best pitchers in baseball. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's important to remember that one off night doesn't erase the Cy Young-caliber season he's putting together.
For a brief, shining moment in the sixth inning, it looked like the Tigers might just bail their ace out. Trailing 4-1, Riley Greene ignited the Comerica Park crowd with a ringing RBI triple. Spencer Torkelson followed up with a productive sacrifice fly, and just like that, it was a one-run game at 4-3. The hope was short-lived. The Mariners' bullpen shut the door, and their catcher, Cal Raleigh, decided to make some history. Raleigh blasted his 37th and 38th home runs of the season, the second being a back-breaking grand slam in the ninth that turned a competitive game into a rout. His 38 homers set a new American League record for most before the All-Star break.
Beyond the drama on the field, it was an exceptionally quiet day for the Tigers organization. There were no roster moves, no injury updates, no trades, and no minor league news to speak of. While the stability is welcome, this loss serves as a stark reminder of the team's reliance on elite starting pitching. With key bats like Kerry Carpenter still on the shelf, the offense needs to find ways to provide more support. The good news? Despite the ugly loss, the Tigers' 59-36 record keeps them comfortably atop the AL Central.
One game doesn't define a season, and one loss doesn't tarnish Skubal's incredible run. The key now is how the team responds. They have a chance to bounce back tomorrow and win the series against a tough Mariners team. With the All-Star break just around the corner, finishing the first half strong is crucial. Let's shake this one off and get back in the win column.
