SAN DIEGO, CA — The Padres jumped on Tarik Skubal early and never let up, shutting out the Tigers 3-0 at Petco Park on Opening Day. Skubal racked up strikeouts, but early damage proved costly as Detroit’s offense failed to respond.
San Diego broke through in the first inning. After two quick outs, Ramón Laureano doubled to right, setting the table for Manny Machado, who drove him in with a double of his own. Machado later scored when Nick Castellanos lined an RBI single into the outfield, giving the Padres a 2-0 lead.
Skubal exits after 5 innings and over 100 pitches
Skubal recovered well, settling in to deliver four scoreless innings and keeping Detroit within reach. But the Tigers couldn’t capitalize, leaving multiple scoring chances unanswered as the bats struggled to generate timely hits.
The Padres added insurance in the eighth when Fernando Tatis Jr. crushed a solo homer off reliever Kyle Finnegan, extending the lead to 3-0.
Nick Pivetta earned the win for San Diego, working five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. The bullpen followed with four shutout frames, and closer Mason Miller struck out the side in the ninth to seal the victory.
