Tigers Lose a Long, Frustrating Game in 12 Innings
The Tigers arrived at the park with dreams of finishing off a series sweep, fresh off a big win the night before. But as the game wore on, their hopes evaporated. After holding a 7-0 lead going into the seventh, they watched it melt away in the final innings, eventually falling to the Orioles 10-9 in a drawn-out affair that lasted well into the 12th inning. The unraveling really began when Tarik Skubal, the team's ace, was forced out of the game.
Skubal, who might be pitching in his final start as a Tiger, delivered one of the best games of the season in the game's early stages. From the first pitch, he showed his dominance, striking out Pete Alonso for his 1,000th career strikeout. Over the first few innings, he looked untouchable, retiring the side each time. Detroit’s offense also had a strong showing in the fourth, when they scored five runs. But that energy didn’t last, and the Tigers' bats went quiet for the rest of the game.
The Tigers had entered the game riding high from the previous night’s win, when they scored one run in each inning. But on this day, they struggled to carry that momentum forward. Despite a promising five-run inning in the fourth, the offense failed to continue the production. That lack of support came back to haunt them as the Orioles gradually chipped away at their lead.
Skubal’s control began to falter in the seventh inning. He walked a batter and allowed a leadoff single before a two-run hit put the Orioles on the board. Manager A.J. Hinch decided to bring in reliever Kyle Finnegan, ending Skubal’s day. That move proved costly, as the Orioles capitalized, quickly scoring four runs in that inning. The floodgates were open, and the Tigers couldn’t stop the tide.
The Orioles' offense exploded, with Jackson Holliday delivering a two-run single to bring the team within striking distance. Two more runs scored in the eighth inning, and by the 12th, the Tigers had done little to reclaim the lead they had built earlier. Their offense failed to produce in key situations, and the defense couldn’t contain the O's once the game was in full swing. Spencer Torkelson answered with a two-run homer — the 100th of his career — on the first pitch of the 11th inning, but Colton Cowser hit a tiebreaking single in the 12th inning to secure the Orioles' win.
Skubal had a memorable day, not just for his pitching but for being part of a big milestone for teammate Spencer Torkelson, who reached 500 career hits. Javier Baez also had a standout performance, with key hits and a throwing error that helped score runs. Skubal received a standing ovation after leaving the game in the seventh, finishing with 6.2 innings pitched, allowing three earned runs on four hits and striking out six batters, all in 92 pitches. Whether this was his last start as a Tiger, it was a performance worthy of a farewell. After the game, Skubal said he tried to stay present despite trade rumors, and he thanked the fans for their support. "There's a lot of stuff going on around me that I have no control (over)," he said. "When the fans get on their feet like that and give you a pretty good ovation, it's special. It'll never not be special, and it's something I've always appreciated."
Though the loss left a sour taste for fans, Skubal’s outing gave something for them to remember. He came into the game looking like a potential trade chip as the winter meetings approach, and his strong start could have helped his stock. The Tigers ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, but Skubal's day was a highlight worth cherishing for both the player and the team. Manager A.J. Hinch said there was never any discussion on not starting Skubal. "Pitching Tarik today was never up in the air, unless it was external," he said. Hinch also expressed frustration with the trade speculation. "I just can't think in hypotheticals," he said. "I really can't."
According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the Tigers have acknowledged that a trade for Skubal is inevitable. "Tarik Skubal is gonna be traded," Passan said. "The Tigers haven't gone to teams that are interested in him, and said as much at this point, but the expectation is that it's going to happen in the next day or two." The Los Angeles Dodgers remain the favorites to acquire him, with the Milwaukee Brewers also being in play. With just a few days left before the deadline, it appears we'll finally have some resolution—even if it's certainly not the kind Detroit was hoping to see.