DETROIT — Tarik Skubal #29 returned to familiar territory Friday night, only this time the former Detroit Tigers ace walked onto the mound at Comerica Park wearing Dodger blue.

Skubal delivered six strong innings against his former club as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Tigers before an enthusiastic crowd of 41,012 on Friday, August 28. The atmosphere reflected the significance of Skubal’s homecoming, with Tigers fans welcoming back their former ace while thousands of Dodgers fans added plenty of blue throughout the ballpark.

Skubal allowed one run on four hits over six innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk. He threw 83 pitches, 56 for strikes, and left with the game tied 1-1.

Detroit struck first in the fifth inning. Eduardo Valencia #32 doubled and Max Clark #15 followed with a two-out RBI triple to left, giving the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.

The lead didn’t last long.

Los Angeles answered in the sixth when Enrique Hernández #8 singled and eventually scored on a pinch-hit single by Miguel Rojas #72, tying the game at 1-1.

Freddie Freeman #5 delivered the deciding hit in the eighth, singling to center to score Teoscar Hernández #37 and put Los Angeles ahead 2-1.

The Dodgers bullpen made the lead stand. Evan Phillips earned the victory after striking out all three batters he faced, while Tanner Scott closed the ninth for his 20th save. Jacob Waguespack took the loss for Detroit after allowing the go-ahead run.

Detroit starter Drew Anderson turned in a strong performance of his own, holding the Dodgers scoreless for 4 2/3 innings while allowing four hits and striking out five. Los Angeles continually put runners on base — drawing nine walks and collecting nine hits — but Detroit’s pitching and defense kept the game within reach.

The Tigers finished with five hits and went just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Gleyber Torres #25 had two hits, while Clark’s triple produced Detroit’s only run.

A Los Angeles Fan Checks Comerica Park Off Her List

Beyond Skubal’s return and the tight game on the field, Friday night provided another example of how baseball can turn a road trip into a lifelong memory.

Cynthia Gomez traveled from Los Angeles for the Dodgers series and was making her first visit to Comerica Park. For Gomez, Detroit represented stadium No. 25 on her quest to visit every Major League Baseball ballpark.

“We flew in from Los Angeles last night,” Gomez told La Prensa Latina News Wire. “This is Stadium 25 for me out of 30, 31 whenever Vegas gets built.”

Gomez said she had been impressed by her first experience in Detroit and the reception she received at Comerica Park.

“Excited to be here for the first time and everyone’s been so nice,” she said.

There was no question, however, which team she came to support.

Asked jokingly whether she was rooting for Detroit, Gomez quickly answered, “Negative,” before proudly identifying herself as a Dodgers fan.

Then her first trip to Comerica Park became even more memorable.

Gomez came away with a foul ball — the first she has ever gotten despite attending games across the country and regularly watching the Dodgers back home.

“I’ve been to many, many games,” Gomez said. “I’m at least at every other Dodger game. Never caught a foul ball before.”

The ball landed near an empty seat and Gomez grabbed it. Making the souvenir even better for the Dodgers fan, she said it came off Freeman’s bat.

For a baseball traveler visiting her 25th stadium, it was quite a Detroit debut: her Dodgers won, Skubal returned to Comerica Park, and she went home with her first foul ball.

Gomez planned to return Saturday before flying back to Los Angeles.

¡Fiesta Tigres! Returns September 12-13

Latino baseball fans will have another reason to visit Comerica Park when the Tigers host ¡Fiesta Tigres! September 12-13 during their series against the Colorado Rockies.

The annual celebration recognizes the contributions of the Latin American community to the history and tradition of the Detroit Tigers and includes heritage-themed activities throughout the weekend.

Saturday’s festivities include a special Hispanic Heritage ticket package and a limited-edition ¡Fiesta Tigres! sugar-skull bobblehead giveaway, presented by Miller Lite, while supplies last for eligible fans.

For La Prensa Latina News Wire, the weekend will provide another opportunity to celebrate the connection between baseball, Latino culture and the communities that have long supported the game throughout Michigan.