Skubal sensational, Tigers jump on Valdez early to get 3-1 win over Astros in AL Wild Card Series

HOUSTON (AP) — Tarik Skubal kept up his stellar season with a sensational playoff debut and the Detroit Tigers got to Framber Valdez early in a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros in their AL Wild Card Series opener on Tuesday.

The Tigers, swept in the American League Division Series in their last trip to the playoffs in 2014, got their first postseason win since Game 4 the 2013 AL Championship Series against Boston.

Down 3-0 entering the ninth, Houston scored on Yanier Diaz's RBI single and had the bases loaded when Jason Heyward hit a game-ending lineout against Beau Brieske.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Wednesday in Houston.

Skubal, the AL pitching Triple Crown winner, allowed just four singles and walked one in six innings. About the only hard hit by the Astros off him was one that hit him — the left was struck on his right wrist by Diaz's second-inning comebacker.

“It was a good challenge,” Skubal said. “It was fun. It was a ton of fun. I enjoyed it. It’s probably the most nervous I’ve been since my debut. That was also fun to deal with. What a game. It was fun, glad to come out with a win.”

Yordan Alvarez, playing for the first time since spraining his right knee Sept. 22, doubled off Jason Foley starting the ninth inning. Pinch-runner Zach Dezenzo and moved to third on Alex Bregman's infield single and Diaz singled on a grounder to right.

Jeremy Peña sacrificed, Brieske relieved and Victor Caratini flied out to short left. Chas McCormick and Brieske retired Heyward for the save.

“Skubal has been really good all year,” Espada said. “We had a few chances there in the middle of the game, and we couldn’t capitalize. But credit to him. He made pitches. And we battled until the end. We had a shot there in the ninth, and we just couldn’t get a big hit.”

The AL West champions were hurt by yet another playoff flop from Valdez, who went 0-3 in the postseason last year. Houston’s ace ranked third in the AL with a 2.91 ERA in the regular season but permitted three runs and seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings Tuesday.

Detroit pounced on him in the second. Wenceel Pérez singled with one out before, Spencer Torkelson walked and Parker Meadows grounded into a forceout that left runners at the corners.

Jake Rogers, Trey Sweeney and Matt Vierling hit consecutive RBI singles for a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers had a runner on third with two outs in the third when Peña made a diving catch at shortstop on Torkelson's liner.

It was a return to Houston for Detroit manager A.J. Hinch, who led Houston to a championship in 2017, and the last managed a postseason game in the Astros’ loss in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series.

The following January he was suspended for a year by Major League Baseball and fired the same day for his role in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal.

He joined the Tigers after his suspension was up and guided the team back to the postseason with a 31-13 finish to the regular season.

“We talk about pressure on the bases,” Hinch said. “We talk about good at-bats. We talk about passing the baton. All those things came through with Tarik on the mound too. I don’t think it’s a small thing today in the first playoff game from a lot of these guys that it looked eerily familiar to the last two months.”

The Astros, in the postseason for a franchise-record eighth straight season, had won a MLB-record 10 consecutive postseason openers. They played their 98th postseason game since 2017.

UP NEXT

The Tigers plan to use an opener and then go to their bullpen in Game 2. RHP Hunter Brown (11-9, 3.49) starts for the Astros.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez, center, talks with Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) during a video review during the seventh inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez is relieved during the fifth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy singles during the fifth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers fans cheer starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) after the fourth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez walks to the dugout after being relieved during the fifth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch checks on starting pitcher Tarik Skubal during the sixth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after striking out Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz during the sixth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) and third baseman Matt Vierling hug after the ninth inning of Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

HOUSTON (AP) — An attorney said Tuesday he is representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month, with most expected to be filed in New York and Los Angeles. Buzbee described the victims as 60 males and 60 females, and that 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct. One individual alleged he was 9 years old when he was abused, Buzbee said. The allegations cover a period from 1991 to this year.

“This type of sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation should never happen in the United States or anywhere else. This should have never been allowed to go on for so long. This conduct has created a mass of individuals who are injured, scared and scarred,” Buzbee said at a news conference.

Following the announcement of the accusations in Texas, an attorney for Combs said the performer “cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus.”

“That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement. “He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”

Buzbee said more than 3,280 individuals contacted his firm and alleged they were victimized by Combs and that after vetting the allegations, his firm decided to represent 120 people. Other cases are still being reviewed. He said some of his clients have spoken with the FBI.

The individuals that Buzbee’s firm is representing are from more than 25 states, with the majority from California, New York, Georgia and Florida.

The abuse that’s being alleged took place mostly at parties held in New York, California and Florida where individuals were given drinks that were laced with drugs, Buzbee said.

Some of the alleged conduct took place at auditions where “many times, especially young people, people wanting to break into the industry were coerced into this type of conduct in the promise of being made a star,” Buzbee said.

Combs, 54, has been locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty Sept. 17 to federal charges that he used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed “Freak Offs.”

Other alleged victims have already filed lawsuits against Combs that include allegations of sexual assault.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. His attorney said he is innocent and will fight to clear his name.

Combs is one of the best-known music executives, producers and performers across hip-hop, having won three Grammys and worked with artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, the influential fashion line Sean John, a vodka brand and the Revolt TV network. He sold off his stake in the latter company in June of this year.

Buzbee has also represented women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and misconduct.

Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, second from left, holds a news conference at his office announcing that he's representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee holds a news conference at his office announcing that he's representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee holds a news conference at his office announcing that he's representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP)