The Detroit Tigers demonstrated unrivaled focus in game one of Wednesday’s double-header against the Pittsburgh Pirates, not letting the previous day’s weather delay dampen their spirits or their play. Under drizzly skies, the Tigers, adorned in their “City Connect” uniforms and delivered a thunderous performance, overwhelming the Pirates with an 8-0 victory. Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal led the charge with a commanding seven-inning outing, while the Tigers’ bats electrified Comerica Park from the outset.

Skubal’s Mound Mastery

Tarik Skubal’s dominance set the tone early. From the first pitch, he controlled the game, striking out three in the first inning alone, including a frozen Andrew McCutchen with a perfectly placed slider. Skubal’s pitch efficiency and strike zone command were on full display, tallying eight strikeouts with only one walk over seven innings. His ability to minimize pitch counts in critical moments allowed him to extend his outing, preserving the bullpen for the latter game of the double-header.

First-Inning Fireworks

The Tigers’ offense roared to life immediately, putting up three runs in the first inning. Rookie outfielder Wenceel Perez ignited the lineup with a triple, soon followed by Matt Vierling’s RBI single. Mark Canha’s sacrifice fly added another run, setting a tone of aggressive, situational hitting. Errors and smart baserunning allowed Detroit to extend their lead early, giving Skubal a comfortable margin to work with.

The fifth inning showcased the Tigers’ relentless pursuit of insurance runs, with Vierling blasting a three-run homer to left field. This widened the lead to 6-0, effectively putting the game out of reach for Pittsburgh. Follow-up hits by Riley Greene and Gio Urshela compounded the Pirates’ woes.

Tigers’ Late-Game Execution Secures Victory

As the game progressed, Detroit’s defense and pitching remained stout. Skubal’s efficient fifth, sixth and seventh innings (21 pitches total) set up a smooth transition to the bullpen. Relief pitcher Mason Englert took over in the eighth, continuing the shutout by inducing groundouts with precise command to stymie any hopes of a Pirates comeback.

Top Tigers Today:

Tarik Skubal: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 8 K, 1 BB – 93 pitches (66 strikes) – 15 swing and misses
CF Matt Vierling: 3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR
- Previous two games: 7-10, 5 R, 8 RBI, and 3 HR
C Jake Rogers: 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI

Up Next:

The Tigers look forward to seeing rookie right-hander Keider Montero make his major league debut in the day’s second game. He faces off against Pirates’ top pick Paul Skenes, setting the stage for an exciting rookie showdown.

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For more from our Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions beat writer, Matt Broder, check him out on Twitter here: @mattbro21

Contact: Broder@woodwardsports.com

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