DETROIT — Tarik Skubal started off what could be his final start as a Tiger with a bit of team history. His strikeout of Orioles leadoff batter Taylor Ward made him the 17th pitcher in history to record 1,000 strikeouts with the Tigers.
Skubal joins a list that includes Hall of Famers Jack Morris (1,980), Hal Newhouser (1,770) and Jim Bunning (1,406), likely future Hall of Famers in Justin Verlander (2,374) and Max Scherzer (1,081), and a longtime Hall of Fame candidate in Mickey Lolich (2,679).
Though 1,000 strikeouts was never really in doubt, Skubal pushed hard to make sure he reached the mark in Detroit. He struck out 12 batters over 7 1/3 innings last Friday against the Royals to get to 999, but missed on a chance to strike out his final batter. He admitted afterwards that he was pushing to get there.
For that reason, Skubal said, pitching Wednesday was never in doubt, despite the percolating speculation over his future leading into Monday’s Trade Deadline.
“I’m pitching,” Skubal said. “I’ve got something cool that I want to accomplish at home. That won’t change.”
The reception he received upon notching Wednesday’s leadoff strikeout showed why. The crowd rose to an ovation as the milestone showed on Comerica Park’s giant video board. While fans applauded Skubal, the back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner applauded them back.
