ATLANTA — What should have been a statement road win for the Detroit Tigers instead turned into a gut-punch finish Wednesday night at Truist Park.
After seven dominant innings from ace Tarik Skubal, the Tigers watched a late lead vanish in the ninth, falling 4-3 to the Atlanta Braves on a walk-off two-run home run by Matt Olson.
The loss was sealed against closer Kenley Jansen, who was tagged with his third blown save in 10 appearances this season and dropped to 0-2.
Skubal Dominates, But Gets No Reward
Detroit’s frustration starts with Skubal, who was again electric and in full command against one of baseball’s hottest lineups.
The reigning American League Cy Young winner worked seven innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven and issuing no walks. He repeatedly escaped trouble by inducing ground balls, including multiple inning-ending double plays.
At one point, Skubal briefly concerned the Tigers dugout after shaking his arm following a pitch in the middle innings. But after a quick mound visit, he stayed in the game and immediately responded — blowing a fastball past Olson and later striking out Austin Riley to end the inning.
It was another outing that reinforced his early-season dominance — and another that ended without a win to show for it.
Detroit Builds Slim Lead
The Tigers scratched out just enough offense to support their ace, taking a 3-2 lead into the late innings. While not explosive at the plate, Detroit capitalized on timely hitting and situational execution to edge ahead.
But as has become a troubling trend early in the season, the bullpen couldn’t hold the line.
Ninth-Inning Collapse
With a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, manager A. J. Hinch turned to Jansen to close it out.
Instead, the veteran closer faltered.
After allowing a baserunner, Jansen left a pitch over the plate to Olson, who didn’t miss. The Braves slugger launched it over the wall for a walk-off two-run homer, instantly flipping the game and sending the Tigers to a deflating defeat.
A Growing Concern
For Detroit, the loss underscores a growing concern: elite starting pitching is being wasted by late-inning instability.
Skubal has pitched like a Cy Young favorite once again, showing improved efficiency and a remarkable ability to generate double plays. But without reliable bullpen support, those efforts are at risk of being squandered.
Bottom Line
The Tigers had this one in their grasp — and let it slip away.
Against a contender like Atlanta, missed opportunities and bullpen breakdowns are magnified. And on a night where Skubal gave them everything they could ask for, Detroit leaves with nothing to show for it but another tough lesson in closing out games.
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