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Tarik Skubal and Detroit Tigers aren't indestructible in Game 5 loss

Posted on by Vanessa
Tarik Skubal and Detroit Tigers aren't indestructible in Game 5 loss

CLEVELAND – Until the crucial moment of the Detroit Tigers' final game this season, a 7-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALDS, Tarik Skubal seemed invincible. The team's star had become an indestructible force by the time the playoffs came, with his dominant mound presence, exaggerated leg kick, blistering four-seam fastball and array of deft secondary pitches.

He didn't allow a single goal against the Houston Astros, giving the Tigers a victory in the opening game of the AL Wild Card Round on October 1st. He then held the Guardians scoreless in seven innings on Monday, even helping them win the ALDS one game apiece.

So Tigers coach AJ Hinch must have been confident about his club's chances in this vital affair after Kerry Carpenter came off the bench and delivered a long RBI single to right-center field that sent Trey Sweeney home for a 1-0 lead at the start of the fifth inning.

THE GAME: Tigers' Tarik Skubal defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 5 of ALDS

Detroit's breakthrough sent shivers through the home crowd, which braved a cool, crisp breeze blowing around the stands at Progressive Field knowing that Skubal, the American League's Cy Young favorite, was still on the mound.

In the early going, Skubal once again took on the role of Cleveland villain, infusing his pitches with his version of southpaw kryptonite. He provided shallow flyouts and soft groundballs. He fired heaters past Cleveland hitters, racking up his share of strikeouts.

Even in the rare moments when the Guardians seemed on the verge of breaking through his indestructible façade, he thwarted them. Look no further than the bottom of the third when Brayan Rocchio blasted a single into left field and Steven Kwan blasted a liner into the left field corner that bounced off the glove of Riley Greene. Greene's error had given the Guardians a golden opportunity, putting runners on second and third with one out.

But Skubal brushed off the defensive mishap. He hit the strike zone against Game 4 hero David Fry. He induced two foul balls before throwing a nasty sinker past him at 99.9 miles per hour. Then, after intentionally sending out the Guardians' best hitter, José Ramírez, he persuaded Lane Thomas to jump to first baseman Spencer Torkelson. The threat was over and the crowd groaned in dismay.

At that point, it seemed like Cleveland had blown its best chance to break Skubal, and Thomas seemed destined to enter the offseason full of regret.

But then something strange happened at the end of the fifth part.

Andrés Giménez hit a single to left field. Shortly afterwards, Kwan had another base hit. Then Fry barely made contact with one of Skubal's offerings and watched the ball trickle to the right side of the infield as he raced to safe contact with first base. Just like that, the bags were packed and Ramírez came to the plate. This time Skubal couldn't avoid him. So he went right behind him. Ramírez struck out and missed the first pitch, a sinker high in the zone. But Skubal's next attempt, a high fastball traveling at 100 miles per hour, hit him in the arm. Ramírez grimaced in pain and leaned forward as Giménez touched home plate.

The Guardians had finally scored against Skubal, who suddenly seemed fallible.

Moments later, the Tigers' starter confirmed he was no longer unbreakable.

Thomas blasted his next pitch, a 96.9 mph sinker that caught too much of the plate, over the 19-foot wall in left field for a grand slam. Skubal turned around, pursed his lips, and lowered his head in disappointment.

In this way, the Guardians had finally defeated Skubal and led 5-1, a lead that seemed insurmountable considering the Tigers had not scored more than four runs in four previous ALDS games.

It was a shocking turning point in a game where previously the tension was palpable and every pitch felt like it would determine the survival or demise of both teams.

But at that moment the Tigers' fate was sealed.

It seemed almost unbelievable.

After all, the Tigers' star would soon be associated with the team's final loss of the season, which seemed particularly ironic considering that just hours earlier he had looked virtually indestructible while leading a team that simply wouldn't die.

Contact Rainer Sabin at [email protected]. Follow him @RainerSabin.

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