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**Skubal Battles Weather, Own High Standards in Tigers’ Win Over Pirates**
DETROIT – Reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal secured a win for the Detroit Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader, but the victory was a hard-fought battle against both the elements and his own lofty expectations.
After Wednesday’s rainout, Skubal took the mound amidst persistent rain, a circumstance that visibly frustrated the star pitcher. He voiced his displeasure with the conditions, noting that the rain impacted his control and the state of the mound. Despite a shaky first inning where he loaded the bases, Skubal managed to escape unscathed and ultimately limited the Pirates to two runs over 5 2/3 innings, striking out six.
However, Skubal was noticeably critical of his own performance. “I don’t think I met the standard of who I think I am today,” he stated, emphasizing his focus on winning above individual accolades.
Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged the high bar Skubal sets for himself. “When people come to see him pitch, they expect to see something that they’ve never seen before… His bar is so high for himself, but also that others bestow on him.”
Despite the challenges, the Tigers ultimately triumphed with a 9-2 victory, powered in part by a modern franchise record-tying four sacrifice flies. Skubal’s ability to navigate the difficult conditions and secure the win highlights his resilience, even as he strives to meet his own exceptionally high standards. The anticipated matchup between Skubal and Pirates pitching prospect Paul Skenes did not materialize as the Pirates elected to have Skenes start the second game of the double header.
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