Detroit Tigers Beat Chicago Cubs 3-1; Skubal Shines

Friday, June 6th, 2025

DETROIT -- — Tarik Skubal pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night in the opener of a weekend series.

Skubal (6-2) delivered a dominant performance, allowing eight hits while striking out six and walking none over 7 2/3 innings. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner continued his impressive run, improving to 6-0 with a 1.61 ERA over his past 11 starts, accumulating 95 strikeouts against just three walks during that span.

Skubal exited with runners on the corners in the eighth, but reliever Will Vest preserved the lead. Seiya Suzuki hit a deep flyball to right field off Vest, but Kerry Carpenter made a crucial catch above the wall to maintain the Tigers' advantage.

Vest secured the final four outs for his 10th save of the season.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (3-4) took the loss, surrendering two runs on seven hits over seven innings.

Spencer Torkelson and Jahmai Jones provided the offensive power for the AL Central-leading Tigers with solo home runs.

Detroit initially took the lead in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Gleyber Torres. The NL Central-leading Cubs responded in the sixth when Kyle Tucker's run-scoring double ended Skubal’s scoreless streak at 20 innings, matching his career high.

Torkelson quickly put the Tigers back in front, hitting his 15th homer of the season in the bottom of the sixth. Jahmai Jones, in his Tigers debut, extended the lead with a pinch-hit home run off Génesis Cabrera in the eighth inning.

The game, which saw a large contingent of Cubs fans in attendance, drew a crowd of 40,132, marking the third sellout at Comerica Park this season.

Key Moment

A rare baserunning error cost the Cubs a potential run in the fifth inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off with a single, followed by Dansby Swanson's double to left. Third base coach Quintin Berry waved Crow-Armstrong home, but the runner hesitated rounding third base before breaking for the plate. Realizing he was too late, he attempted to retreat to third but was tagged out on Javier Báez’s relay throw.

Key Stat

Tarik Skubal's impressive control is highlighted by his season stats: 105 strikeouts and just seven walks in 83 1/3 innings. His seven walks at the time he reached 100 strikeouts tied for the second-fewest in big league history, trailing only Clayton Kershaw's five in 2016.

Up Next

The series continues on Saturday with Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (5-3, 3.76 ERA) scheduled to face Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero (2-1, 4.02 ERA).

In summary

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Friday night behind a stellar performance from Tarik Skubal, who allowed just one run over 7 2/3 innings. Skubal improved to 6-2 with a dominant outing featuring six strikeouts and no walks. Spencer Torkelson and Jahmai Jones hit solo home runs for the Tigers. The Cubs' lone run came on a Kyle Tucker double. A key baserunning error by Pete Crow-Armstrong in the fifth inning also hindered the Cubs' offense. Will Vest earned his 10th save for Detroit. Ben Brown took the loss for Chicago. The two teams are scheduled to play again Saturday, with Jameson Taillon pitching for the Cubs and Keider Montero for the Tigers.

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• Chicago Cubs News & Updates
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• Detroit Tigers News & Updates
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