Tigers' Tarik Skubal Throws Historic Complete-Game Shutout

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made history by pitching the first complete game shutout of his career against the Cleveland Guardians, striking out 13 batters while allowing only two hits and no walks over nine innings. Skubal's performance, which required just 94 pitches with 72 strikes and generated 26 swing-and-misses, marked the most strikeouts ever recorded in a "Maddux"—a complete game shutout with fewer than 100 pitches—surpassing the previous record of 12. His final pitch, a 102.6 mph fastball, was the hardest pitch of his career and the fastest by any starting pitcher in the ninth inning since pitch tracking began in 2008. This outing improved Skubal's season record to 5-2 with a 2.49 ERA and 92 strikeouts, reinforcing his status as one of MLB's top pitchers. The Tigers, who avoided a series sweep with the win, were supported offensively by key runs in the fourth inning, securing a 5-0 victory. Skubal's historic achievement also made him the first Tigers pitcher to throw a complete game with no walks, two or fewer hits, and at least 13 strikeouts, a feat last accomplished in MLB by Jacob deGrom in 2021.