Tarik Skubal allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings, helping the Detroit Tigers move closer to a surprising postseason spot with a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.
Skubal (18-4), a top candidate for the AL Cy Young award, struck out seven batters and walked only one, even with challenging weather conditions. He has a record of 6-0 with a 1.94 ERA in his last nine starts.
“I have the best seat in the house to watch the best pitcher in the league,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He was incredible on a tough day to pitch. We changed the time from a night game to an afternoon game, then ended up sitting out an hour delay, but he dominated.”
Skubal could earn his 19th win on Sunday if the Tigers need him to beat the Chicago White Sox on the last day of the regular season to reach the playoffs.
The Tigers (83-74) started the day tied with Kansas City for the second and third wild-card spots, with the Royals holding the tiebreaker, and one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins.
After being sellers at MLB’s trade deadline, Detroit has the best record in the league at 28-11 since August 11.
Reliever Beau Brieske retired the first five batters he faced, but Brandon Lowe hit a home run with two outs in the ninth, bringing the Rays within 2-1. However, Brieske struck out Josh Lowe for his third career save and first this season.
Tampa Bay (78-79) fell five games behind the Tigers.
“We felt our best chance was to win out, and we didn’t get there today,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We needed help before this game, and now we’re going to need even more.”
Wenceel Pérez reached base three times for Detroit, walking twice and hitting a two-run double in the fifth.
“We’re doing a great job of playing together,” said Pérez, who returned on September 13 after missing a month due to an oblique strain. “This is like a playoff game for us, and we’re stepping up to the challenge.”
