Tigers defensive plays behind Skubal that changed the game

Tigers Defensive Plays Behind Skubal That Changed the Game
DETROIT — Tarik Skubal was locked in. The Detroit Tigers’ ace had been dominant all night, but it wasn’t just his pitching that stood out. Behind him, the Tigers turned in what can only be described as a defensive clinic , making play after play that shifted momentum and ultimately helped seal the win.

In a tight 3-1 victory over the Cubs, every run mattered — and so did every glove.

Kerry Carpenter’s Wall-Leaping Catch: The Defining Moment

With two outs in the eighth inning, runners on first and second, and the Tigers clinging to a one-run lead, Seiya Suzuki lifted a fly ball to deep right field.

As the ball soared, Skubal and the rest of the dugout braced for the worst. It looked like a repeat of a similar blast by Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell back in mid-May — a go-ahead home run that haunted memories.

But this time, there was Kerry Carpenter.

“I knew he got it pretty good,” Carpenter said afterward. “It was tough to see with the sky being hazy, but I trusted my read.”

Carpenter tracked the ball all the way to the warning track, timed his leap perfectly, and snagged it just before it cleared the wall. He came down with the ball in hand, securing the final out of the inning — and preserving Skubal’s lead.

The Tigers erupted in celebration. So did Skubal.

“I love it,” Carpenter added. “I work hard at it. And when it pays off? That’s pretty awesome.”

Early-Inning Gems Set the Tone

Even before Carpenter’s heroics, the Tigers were turning heads with their gloves.

Skubal was cruising through the early innings, retiring 12 of the first 13 batters he faced. But not everything was pure dominance — some outs were made possible by sharp fielding.

In the third, Zach McKinstry robbed Nico Hoerner with a quick throw from third base after a soft liner. An inning earlier, Javier Báez ranged deep into the hole to snare a ball that looked destined for left field, then fired across the diamond to beat the runner.

And while Matt Shaw narrowly beat McKinstry’s throw for an infield single, even that moment showed hustle and awareness on both sides.

Báez Saves Skubal With a Smart Relay

The biggest test of the night came in the fifth, when the Cubs finally strung together some hits.

Dansby Swanson doubled, and Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with a hit to right field. On most nights, that would mean runners at second and third with no outs.

But not this time.

Javy Báez saw the play unfold and made a critical decision — instead of firing home, he threw to third. His relay beat Crow-Armstrong by a step, thanks in part to a misplay by the Cubs’ third-base coach.

“It gave me a chance to MacGyver my way out of it,” Skubal said with a grin.

He struck out the next two batters, escaping what could’ve been a big inning.

The Final Out: Dingler’s Rocket Ar

Even with a lead heading into the top of the eighth, things got tense again.

Three straight hits brought the tying run to the plate, but Skubal was pulled after two outs. Enter Will Vest — and enter drama.

Matt Shaw tried to steal second. Dillon Dingler unleashed a laser beam to second base, nailing him easily.

“That kind of play,” manager A.J. Hinch said, “is why we keep playing nine innings.”

A Night to Remember

From Báez’s smart decisions to McKinstry’s arm and Carpenter’s leaping grab, the Tigers didn’t just support Skubal — they carried him when needed.

“They made five or six really special plays,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s going to make it tough on any offense.”

Spencer Torkelson put it best: “That was an absolute clinic by the guys.”

For Skubal, it was more than just another start. It was proof that sometimes, even the best pitchers need a little help from the guys behind them.

And on this night, the Tigers delivered exactly that.