The Detroit Tigers lost 4-1 to the Texas Rangers on July 20, 2025, extending their skid to 7 games. Riley Greene homered, but Kumar Rocker dominated.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another loss. The Detroit Tigers' mid-summer swoon deepened in Texas, as the team dropped its seventh consecutive game in a frustrating 4-1 defeat to the Rangers. The bats were once again ice-cold, nearly getting no-hit by rookie Kumar Rocker and managing just a whisper of offense in a game that felt out of reach from the early innings.
The Tigers have now scored just five runs over their last four games.
The story of the game was Rangers rookie Kumar Rocker, who baffled Tigers hitters all afternoon. Rocker carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Wenceel Pérez finally broke it up with a two-out single. By then, the damage was done. Former Brewer Rowdy Tellez, in just his second game with Texas, blasted a three-run homer off Keider Montero that proved to be the decisive blow. Montero (4-2) took the loss, allowing four runs in total. Riley Greene provided the lone spark for Detroit, launching his 25th home run of the season in the ninth to break up the shutout, but it was far too little, too late as the team managed only three hits.
It's a strange time to be a Tigers fan. The team is mired in its longest losing streak of the season at seven games, and the offense has vanished. Yet, a look at the standings provides a dose of perspective. At 59-40, Detroit still holds the best record in the American League and maintains a commanding 10.5-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central. The historic first half of the season bought them this breathing room, but watching the team struggle to score is testing the nerves of the fanbase. The slump is real, but the season's foundation remains strong—for now.
If you could pick one pitcher to take the mound to halt a losing streak, it would be Tarik Skubal. The Tigers' ace and recent All-Star Game starter is set to take the ball for the series finale on Sunday night. With a sparkling 10-3 record, 2.23 ERA, and 153 strikeouts, Skubal has been the pillar of consistency for this team. He represents the team's best chance to salvage a game in Texas and head home with some momentum. He'll face lefty Jacob Latz, who is making a spot start for the Rangers, giving the Tigers a prime opportunity to get the bats going and get right behind their ace.
The Tigers are in a freefall, but their incredible first half has given them a massive cushion. That cushion is shrinking with every loss. The question now is simple: can Tarik Skubal, the team's undisputed ace, be the stopper the team desperately needs? Sunday night's finale in Texas isn't just another game; it's a potential turning point for a first-place team playing its worst baseball of the season.
