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New York Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Instead of Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes, a doubleheader descended into chaos
DETROIT — Before the ejections and the altercations, before the delays and the chaos, everyone wanted to know about the pitching. Here at the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in town. Wednesday's game was postponed due to the threat of severe weather. That meant Tigers ace Tarik Skubal would be pushed to one of the games in Thursday's doubleheader. Advertisement Also pitching that day? Paul Skenes, the second-year phenom who — alongside Skubal and a select few others — can make a claim for the title of the most electrifying pitcher in the sport. When it comes to Skubal and Skenes, there are clear differences. One is left-handed, and one is right-handed. One pitches with an imposing high leg kick, the other with a deceptive swivel. One is mustachioed, the other clean-shaven. But both are, as Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, the names you circle in the probables section. The guys everyone wants to watch. The closest thing this sport has to a next generation of workhorse aces. So when Wednesday's game was rained out, it seemed momentarily like the baseball gods were orchestrating a Skubal-Skenes showdown. Skubal was down for it. 'No doubt,' he said. 'I like going against the game's best.' Skenes, it seems, had no objection to facing off against Skubal. 'That would have been cool,' he said. Hinch, though, asked Skubal which game he preferred to pitch in. Skubal chose Game 1, citing the more controlled start time, the more normal feeling of pregame preparation. In the Pirates clubhouse, Skenes and left-hander Andrew Heaney discussed how they would handle the doubleheader. 'He wanted the day game,' Skenes said. 'So I was like, 'All right, I'll take the night game.'' There was no intervention. No reversal of the decisions. The showdown between aces was not meant to be. Instead, Thursday's split doubleheader turned into a study in chaos. It started early. With inclement weather in the area, Game 1 began with a delay. First pitch was pushed back from 1:10 p.m. ET to 1:50. By the time the game started, rain was falling, more than just a soft drizzle. Skubal pitched the first inning with water dripping from the brim of his hat. A pitcher who had walked only three batters in his past 36 innings issued two walks in the first inning. The Pirates loaded the bases, though Skubal escaped unscathed. Advertisement In the dugout after the inning, Skubal cursed and let out his frustration. 'It just felt like we could have started that game a little bit later,' Skubal said. 'Warming up, it was coming down pretty good. So I think that's what I was more frustrated at. My hat was literally leaking water in front of my face as I'm pitching. It's like, why didn't we just wait?' Skubal recovered from the rocky first inning. He pitched much like himself, even if a slightly more human version. He went 5 2/3 innings, gave up two earned runs and notched six strikeouts. The Tigers won 9-2. After the game, there were still hints of frustration at how it all unfolded. 'That was frustrating, for sure,' Skubal said of the conditions. 'But their guy is playing in it just like you are. You can't let it affect you, and I probably did let it impact me a little bit. That's something I can take away. In the future, don't let outside things you can't control impact your emotions.' By Game 2, the weather had cleared. Skubal had talked of wanting to zero in and watch Skenes. 'Hopefully, we tag him a little bit, but his stuff is pretty good,' Skubal said. He ended up watching the opposing ace pitch in 73-degree weather, sunny and with shadows that generally favor pitchers. Skenes appeared dominant as ever through the first four innings, using his curveball and toying with Tigers hitters. But by the fifth, Skenes' mortal side also showed. He threw balls on eight of nine pitches (thanks in part to a tight strike zone) and walked two batters. Tigers hitters chipped away at his pitch count. The game slowly descended into chaos. There was an interference call on a grounder to second base that had Pirates manager Don Kelly on the field arguing and Hinch on the other side of the field talking with another umpire. Advertisement Gleyber Torres eventually ripped a double to left field and brought in two runs. Skenes returned for the sixth and finished his day with a strikeout of Zach McKinstry on a 98.7 mph fastball. His final line, except for five walks, was identical to what he did last season in Detroit, when he and Skubal also started opposite ends of a doubleheader: six innings, three hits, two earned runs and nine strikeouts. But the Pirates bullpen blew a 4-2 lead when Colt Keith hit an opposite-field homer in the seventh. Skenes has a 1.85 ERA, but Thursday marked his 12th start with either a loss or no decision. Dennis Santana is swinging at fans from the bullpen — Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 20, 2025 Somewhere around the seventh inning, the hysteria really set in. Video began circulating online of Pirates reliever Dennis Santana leaping at the bullpen wall and taking a swipe at a fan who, it seems, had been heckling him. The fan was ejected, according to a Tigers spokesperson. 'You guys know me and know my temper,' Santana said via an interpreter, addressing his confrontation. 'I'm a calm person. They just crossed the line a few times. I would like to leave it like that.' Santana, fresh off an altercation, entered in the ninth inning with the score tied. He recorded one out as a dark cloud inched toward Comerica Park. Rain soon started pouring again. The game entered a one-hour, 15-minute delay as fans huddled on the concourse. When play finally resumed, the game went into extras. Hinch was ejected for the first time all year after a close play at the plate involving Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham stood after review. 'I hate '(call) stands,'' Hinch said. 'When you say it stands, it's like making no call to either affirm or take it away. That brings a lot of frustration. They showed it up on the big board. I gotta defend my team. The angle that they put up on the board looked like he was out.' Three fans have been ejected behind home plate. The Detroit crowd started a 'Tommy sucks' chant as they were being escorted out. — Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) June 20, 2025 Later in the 10th, Pham was on deck when home-plate umpire Dexter Kelley appeared to call time and began pointing toward the stands. Pham, clearly angered, was also motioning toward the stands. Stadium security ended up escorting a group of three fans sitting in the Tigers' high-end Home Plate Club out of the park. It's unclear what they said, and Pham did not speak with reporters. In a statement, MLB said the fans were removed for 'inappropriate comments in order to protect a player on the field.' Advertisement 'I didn't see it,' Kelly said. 'I guess fans were saying something to him, and he didn't take kindly to it. Security did a great job of de-escalating that situation pretty quick.' The close play at the plate changed the complexion of the inning. The Pirates scored four runs and went on to an 8-4 victory. The small crowd that remained booed umpires and chanted 'Tommy sucks' as the game dwindled to its end. In all, at least four fans and a manager were ejected. Two players were embroiled in a dispute. A day that should have been centered on two star pitchers turned into a swell of controversy. What could have been a great day for baseball ended as an ugly mess. (Photo of Paul Skenes talking to umpire Chris Guccione in the sixth inning: Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tigers Fans Ejected, Boos Rain Down After Pirates' Controversial Go-Ahead Run
Tigers Fans Ejected, Boos Rain Down After Pirates' Controversial Go-Ahead Run originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates battled it out on Thursday during a double header at Comerica Park in the Motor City. Advertisement Detroit surged back and tied the game at four runs apiece on a two-run home run by Colt Keith in the bottom of the seventh inning prior to a rain delay in the ninth inning. The Pirates later took a 5-4 10th inning lead on an RBI single by Ke'Bryan Hayes that scored Tommy Pham as part of a controversial play argued by Tigers manager AJ Hinch at home plate. Boos rained down at Comerica Park as tensions rose during the controversial game changing play between the MLB leaders and their National League opponents. Pirates manager Don Kelly (L) speaks with umpire Chris Guccione on Thursday. © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images The play was shown several times by Detroit area networks as fans began to react. Hinch came out to argue the close call after Pham scored, beating a strong throw from right field. Hinch was ejected as tensions continued to flare. Fans had differing opinions on the play. Advertisement "Safe, (Jake) Rogers didn't tag him," one fan said. " shows catcher was too high," another fan added about the attempted tag attempt. "Swiped the arm," another fan said while two other online readers said Pham was out. Tigers fans in attendance became upset as rumors of fan ejections swirled. Reporter Evan Petzold confirmed the situation. The Pirates took an 8-4 lead before shutting the door in the tenth inning. Detroit fell to 48-28 on the season while the Pirates improved to 30-46. Related: Tigers Share Injury News on Starting Pitcher Reese Olson Tuesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez is 'messing up scouting reports' with switch-hit success
Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Pérez is enjoying the best three-week stretch of his MLB career, as the switch-hitter continues to crush from both sides of the plate after returning from the lower back injury that sidelined him for the first two months of the 2025 season. He summed up his confidence level. Advertisement "It's so high right now," he said. Pérez entered the Tigers' doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, June 19, hitting .316 with five home runs, two walks and 10 strikeouts in 18 games. The 25-year-old has historically performed better against right-handed pitchers (as a left-handed hitter) than against left-handed pitchers (as a right-handed hitter), but in these 18 games, he has been outstanding against both. "He's messing up some scouting reports," manager A.J. Hinch said. ALL-STAR JAVY? Tigers' Javier Báez celebrates 10 years of MLB service time in best way possible Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Pérez (46) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Celebrate 125 seasons of the Tigers with our new book! Advertisement In 2025, Pérez is hitting .289 with three home runs and a .925 OPS against right-handed pitchers (as a left-handed hitter). He's also hitting .417 with two home runs and a 1.551 OPS against left-handed pitchers (as a right-handed hitter). He has stepped to the plate 49 times against righties and 13 times against lefties. It's a small sample, but the early switch-hit success is promising. "He's going to make contact, which is huge," Hinch said, "but he's hunting damage, which is encouraging, as he's learning and trying to contribute in different ways." Pérez credits an adjustment at the plate — he closed his stance from the right side. Advertisement "I pulled my front foot in a little to stay more inside the ball," Pérez said. "I was opening so early that I was hitting ground balls and rolling over," he added. "I turned my foot in a little bit to stay stable and get my barrel in the zone more and stay to the middle." Hinch credits Pérez's daily switch-hit routine. Since making his MLB debut in April 2024, Pérez has developed a pregame routine over his 130 games — preparing for opportunities against both righties and lefties. He has settled into life as a big leaguer, and he's learning how to stay ready from both sides of the plate. "The way we play, you got to put in a lot of time and a lot of effort and be ready," Hinch said. "I think it's underrated what a switch-hitter has to do in general." Advertisement [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Pérez showcased his ability to create damage from both sides Tuesday, June 17, against the Pirates at Comerica Park, driving in three runs in a 7-3 win. He hit a home run off left-hander Bailey Falter in the second inning, then hit a triple off right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski in the sixth inning. He is more comfortable in his sophomore season. "Last year was my first year," Pérez said. "I was trying to adjust every day. This year, I got through that last year, so now I have a better routine and a better idea of what I'm doing now than what I was doing last year." Advertisement THURSDAY'S DOUBLEHEADER: Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes won't happen this time. But players agree it would've been fun Since Pérez's May 27 return, his 1.057 OPS ranks eighth among 184 qualified players — ahead of Aaron Judge and trailing only Ronald Acuña Jr., Max Muncy, Elly De La Cruz, Willi Castro, Cal Raleigh, Marcus Semien and Juan Soto. Is that level of performance sustainable? Probably not. But the switch-hitting Pérez has emerged as a key contributor for the Tigers' offense throughout the past three weeks — not just as a left-handed hitter against righties, but also as a right-handed hitter against lefties. Advertisement "He's always going to have the platoon advantage, which is the beauty of the switch-hitter," Hinch said. "He generally is going to face more righties, just by sheer numbers, but he's shown that he not only can defend himself but contribute from the right side." Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers OF Wenceel Perez is switch-hit success in 2025
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers friends and foes greet Don Kelly with one wish: 'A miserable three days'
Don Kelly was the topic, and Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch put on his serious face. 'I hope we make it a miserable three days back in Detroit,' Hinch said on Tuesday, June 17. 'We can cheer him, but let's leave him three days miserable.' Advertisement He was speaking of Kelly's return to Detroit, after six years as a coach and nearly three dozen games as an MLB manager. The Pittsburgh Pirates skipper is in the Motor City for the first time this week as a manager, and Hinch wants to make sure that his return to the city in which he spent most of his playing career doesn't deliver a friendly welcome. Hinch's tone softened quickly, though. 'Everybody loves him,' Hinch said. 'I've been fortunate to be around him a lot, and I'm really proud of how he's taken to coaching and now managing and everything that he brings to the table.' Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly in the dugout before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. GAME 1 IN DETROIT: Wenceel Pérez, Javier Báez bring big bats in Detroit Tigers' 7-3 win over Pirates Advertisement The connection between Kelly and Hinch goes back several years. In fact, Hinch gave Kelly his start in on-field coaching, hiring Kelly out of the Tigers' organization as the Houston Astros' first-base coach for the 2019 season. They won an AL pennant together that year. Soon after, Kelly joined then-Pirates manager Derek Shelton's staff as the bench coach. This year, he replaced Shelton on May 8 after the Pirates began the season 12-26. They entered the series against the Tigers at 17-18 under Kelly (though Game 1, on Tuesday, went the Tigers' way). The Pirates' improvement isn't a surprise to Hinch. Kelly is known for his ability to connect with players — not a trait that hurts in a locker room used to losing, with six straight seasons under .500 entering 2025. Hinch also noted Kelly's versatility as a coach, similar to his time on the field. Kelly played every position during his nine big-league seasons (including all but shortstop in Detroit), giving him a variety of perspectives. It also gave him plenty of time watching games from the dugout. Advertisement 'He's pretty well-rounded,' Hinch said. 'I think part of that comes from being a utility player, part of it is being on the bench a lot to watch a lot of games. He's played for a lot of great managers. He then was so curious about every aspect of baseball operations, with player development, scouting, when he came over at first base, he got a little bit more into baserunning, obviously, the infield, outfield defense, the decisions that go on by managing. And I liked how he could be relatable to the players, and I thought he could impact players, which is why we brought him on our staff.' The two are good friends, speaking about once a week, in Hinch's estimation, with Kelly leaning on Hinch as he learns the manager's role on the fly . They haven't spoken much this week — neither texts the other when they're about to face off across the diamond — but they keep in contact the rest of the time. Recently, Hinch called Kelly after the 45-year-old was ejected May 30, for the third time in his first 20 games. His advice? Stop getting ejected. 'He called me and said I should probably stay in the game,' Kelly laughed. 'I've done a pretty good job the last few weeks of doing that. But he's been great. Just to have a sounding board there, to be able to bounce some things off of.' Detroit Tigers Don Kelly celebrates with Prince Fielder after he hit a walk off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Oakland Athletics 5-4 in game two of the ALDS playoffs, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. KIRTHMON F. DOZIER/Detroit Free Press It's special to Kelly to return to Detroit, the city he considers his second home. He had so many career moments as a Tiger — his first home run and his first RBI (ironically, both against the Pirates, the team for which he made his MLB debut), his walk-off sacrifice fly against the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of the 2012 ALDS, his home run against the Yankees in Game 5 of the 2011 ALDS. But his favorite memories of being a Tiger were the team successes. Advertisement 'Winning the division four straight years at the end and going to the playoffs and the World Series in 2012,' Kelly said of the Tigers' run from 2011-14. 'Those are the biggest memories for me. Comerica being packed and drawing 3 million fans, it was an exciting time.' Matthew Auchincloss is a reporter with the Detroit Free Press. Connect at mauchincloss@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Detroit Tigers fave Don Kelly back in town as Pirates manager
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal on F-bomb at Mother Nature, Paul Skenes fandom, Game 1 desire
Pitching in the rain, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal walked two batters in a row in the first inning, stranded the bases loaded with two outs on four pitches and showed his emotions as he entered the dugout. He dropped the F-bomb. Advertisement That's not out of the ordinary, but it has been a while since Skubal turned to an expletive to express his feelings. This time, he was cussing out the weather in Game 1 of the doubleheader on Thursday, June 19, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. "I think he was mad at the rain," manager A.J. Hinch said, following the Tigers' 9-2 Game 1 win. "The rain got him. It frustrated him. He wanted to figure it out. He took it out on himself — and other areas." GAME 1: Tarik Skubal gets plenty of run support in Tigers' 9-2 win over Pirates Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Celebrate Tigers history with our commemorative book! Indeed, the rain rattled Skubal in the first inning. Advertisement Let him explain. "I was just a little upset with the weather," Skubal said. "I was a little upset. I felt like we could have started that game — from the third inning on, I felt like it was very manageable, so it just felt like we could have started that game a little bit later. Warming up, it was coming down pretty good. I think that's what I was more frustrated at. My hat is literally leaking water in front of my face as I'm pitching. I'm like, 'Why didn't we just wait?' That's kind of what I'm thinking, and that's where it's frustrating to me. When it's raining like that, the mound gets ruined, so there's not much you can do after that. That was frustrating, for sure. But their guy is playing in it, just like we are, so you can't let it affect you. I probably did let it impact me a little bit. I guess that's something I can take away in the future, just don't let outside things that you can't control impact your emotions." Skubal allowed two runs on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts across 5⅔ innings, tossing a season-high 103 pitches. The Pirates scored in the fifth and sixth innings. It was one of Skubal's worst starts of the season. Advertisement "If that's an off day for him, it's still a pretty good day," Hinch said. Skubal has a 2.06 ERA in 15 starts. "I don't think I met the standard of who I think I am," said Skubal, who surpassed 100 pitches for the first time this season. "I don't think I was very good. But we won, so it doesn't really matter how I feel or what I think. The goal every time I'm out there is to win, and we won today, won a series and have a chance to sweep. On to the next one." [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Tarik Skubal talks Paul Skenes The Tigers and Pirates had a chance to create an epic matchup between Skubal and right-hander Paul Skenes in Thursday's doubleheader, but Skubal chose to start Game 1 — and Pirates manager Don Kelly started Skenes in Game 2 in a managerial decision based on what was best for his team. Advertisement Fans were robbed of Skubal vs. Skenes in Game 1. "Selfishly, I'm glad that I'm not pitching (Game 2) so I can dial in and watch him," Skubal said. "As much as I play the game, I'm the biggest fan as probably anybody else. I'll be able to watch, and hopefully, we tag him up a little bit, but his stuff is pretty good." SO CLOSE: Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes won't happen this time. But players agree it would've been fun Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2024, Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award and Skenes won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Both players were honored at the Baseball Writers Association of America awards dinner in late January 2025. Advertisement They've crossed paths a couple of times. "I think the way he carries himself is great," Skubal said. "The head on his shoulders is very mature. He knows his routine. He's bought into what makes him good. I feel like he's always trying to get better at something. It shows with who he is on the mound." Skenes, 23, has started 38 games in his two-year MLB career — 23 games in 2024 and 15 games in 2025. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 has a 1.89 ERA with 267 strikeouts across 229 career innings, including a 1.78 ERA entering Thursday's start. Here's a tidbit: Skubal had a 4.40 ERA in the first 38 games of his MLB career, back in 2020-21. Advertisement "I can't say my career started the same way, but he's great for the game," said Skubal, now in his sixth MLB season. "Everybody wants to watch him play. We need the stars to be on the field for the product to be good and to make fans want to come to the yard. It's great for everyone involved, including myself." JEFF SEIDEL: One story about Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle sheds insight into why he's different As for stardom, Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball for the past three years, with a 2.39 ERA and 447 strikeouts across 368⅓ innings in 61 starts. The 28-year-old is tracking to become the first AL pitcher to win the Cy Young in back-to-back seasons since Pedro Martínez in 1999-2000. Meanwhile, Skenes is the frontrunner to win the NL Cy Young in 2025. Advertisement "I'm a fan," Skubal said. Tarik Skubal explains Game 1 preference Skubal chose to start Game 1 when Hinch asked him about his preference for Thursday's doubleheader, following the postponement of the game Wednesday, June 18, due to thunderstorms at Comerica Park. He could've picked Game 2. But there's a reason he wanted Game 1. "I've always just wanted to throw the first game," Skubal said. "Whether this is true or not, I think that I like all my guys to be fresh behind me. Not saying they're not fresh for Game 2, but it's just more about my mental buy-in — that I know our guys are ready to go. I'll always throw Game 1." Advertisement The only way Skubal wouldn't throw Game 1 is if a pitcher with more MLB service time — such as right-hander Jack Flaherty, for example — demanded the first game of a doubleheader. Skubal has performed slightly better in day games compared to night games in his 121-game career, posting a 3.04 ERA in day games and a 3.29 ERA in night games. That's not why he chose Game 1. It's just his preference for all doubleheaders. "Starting the second game of a doubleheader when it's straight is tough because it's 40 minutes after the first game ends," Skubal said, "but who knows when the first game ends? I start my routine two hours before the game. It's a little bit different when you don't know the second game time. That's why I just prefer to throw Game 1, if I have any say in it." Advertisement Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is fan of Pirates star Paul Skenes
