Tigers Tarik Skubal makes complete-game history with latest dazzling gem

Tarik Skubal made history on Sunday. The Tigers right-hander and defending American League Cy Young award winner became the first pitcher in MLB history to throw a nine-inning, complete-game shutout while striking out at least 13 batters in less than 100 pitches.Skubal’s feat came in a 5-0 win over the Guardians at Detroit’s Comerica Park.To pitch a Maddux — a complete game shutout in under 100 pitches — is a rare enough accomplishment. On Sunday, Skubal was even better, as he allowed just two hits and didn’t walk a batter.He also ended the game in style, striking out Gabriel Arias for the final out of the game.His final pitch to Arias was recorded at 102.6 mph, the hardest pitch of Skubal’s career. And it was the fastest pitch recorded by a starting pitcher in the ninth inning during the pitch-tracking era, which began in 2008. Of Skubal’s 94 pitches, 72 were strikes, and he also got 26 swing-and-misses on the afternoon. Skubal also opened the game in impressive fashion, retiring the first 15 batters he faced. His ERA dropped to 2.49 for the Tigers, who are in first place in what has so far been a surprisingly strong AL Central. ...