Skubal leads Tigers to 7-2 win over Twins in final start before the trade deadline

DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal gave up five hits and two runs in seven strong innings in his last start before the trade deadline and the Detroit Tigers rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Saturday night.

Javier Báez homered for the third straight game and Colt Keith had a home run and a triple for three RBIs. Báez had only homered once this season before his current streak and three of his four home runs this year have come against the Twins.

Skubal (12-3) allowed three hits, including a two-run homer, in the first inning, but held the Twins to two singles over the next six. He struck out eight and walked two.

“It was a bloop and a blast, and that happens in this game,” he said. “My command was really bad for the first 2-3 innings, but I kept attacking guys, knowing I would eventually find it. That's what happened.”

Skubal received a standing ovation from the crowd of 35,138 after the seventh.

“The atmosphere is so much fun right now,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “The weather is incredible, we're playing a good team, Tarik Skubal is on the mound and the team is playing so much better.”

Hinch isn't surprised his ace is showing up in trade rumors, although he's hoping Skubal stays in Detroit.

“If I was on a different team, I would want him, too,” he said. "Who wouldn't want him? He increases the odds of winning for every single team — 30 out of 30.”

Twins starter Joe Ryan (6-7) allowed three runs on four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out eight.

“My back was a little tight, but we had a good plan to deal with it,” he said. “Things just don't always shake out the way you need.”

The Twins took a 2-0 lead on Royce Lewis' 11th homer in 26 games this season, but Mark Canha's RBI single made it 2-1 in the bottom of the inning.

Ryan and Skubal then held hitters to 1 for 25 with three walks and 12 strikeouts from the second through fifth innings.

“Joe was competitive, but we couldn't add any runs,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “This was a textbook Tarik Skubal game.”

Matt Vierling led off the sixth with a single — Detroit's first hit since Canha's base hit — and Keith tied the game with a triple on the next pitch. Canha made it 3-2 with a sacrifice fly.

Báez moved the lead to three runs with a two-run homer off Brock Stewart in the seventh. Keith put the Tigers up 7-2 with a 419-foot home run off Steven Okert later in the inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM

The Twins activated 3B Jose Miranda, who had missed the last nine games with a back strain. Miranda came into the game hitting a major league-best .415 in 27 games since June 9. INF Eduoard Julien was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

UP NEXT

The teams finish their season series on Sunday, with Minnesota RHP Bailey Ober (9-5, 4.04) facing Tigers opener Alex Faedo (5-1, 3.47). With the Tigers rotation down to three healthy starters, Hinch will need nine innings from his bullpen for the third time in six games.

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Detroit Tigers' Beau Brieske pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez (28) celebrates with Colt Keith after a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith, center, with third base coach Joey Cora, left, and Minnesota Twins third baseman Jose Miranda (64) after hitting an RBI-triple during a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Minnesota Twins' Carlos Santana singles against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Minnesota Twin center fielder Byron Buxton catches a sacrifice fly ball hit by Detroit Tigers' Mark Canha during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Minnesota Twins' Austin Martin (82) goes up against the left field wall in a vain attempt to catch a two-run home run hit by Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Javier Baez hits a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

GREATER NOIDA, India (AP) — The start of the cricket test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was delayed Monday because of a wet outfield caused by incessant rain around India’s capital region for the past week.

The toss was initially delayed by 30 minutes before umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Sharfuddoula Saikat further postponed proceedings by at least 90 minutes. The lunch interval was called without any play possible in the first session.

The sun was shining brightly in the morning, improving chances of play later in the day.

This is Afghanistan’s third cricket test in 2024, following once-off matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand is kicking off a three-month subcontinental tour that will involve series against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and India.

Squads:

Afghanistan (from): Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ikram Alikhil, Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehman, Afsar Zazai, Nijat Masood, Shamsurrahman, Abdul Malik

New Zealand (from): Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee (captain), Matt Henry, Tom Blundell, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, William O'Rourke

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's captain, Tim Southee, right, interact with Afghanistan's head coach, Jonathan Trott as the toss is delayed due to wet field on the first day of the only test cricket match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida, India, Monday, Sep. 9, 2024.(AP Photo)

New Zealand's captain, Tim Southee, center, and Mitchell Santner, right, interact with Afghanistan's head coach, Jonathan Trott as the toss is delayed due to wet field on the first day of the only test cricket match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida, India, Monday, Sep. 9, 2024.(AP Photo)