Tarik Skubal Dominates ABS Challenge as Tigers Defeat Blue Jays 6-1

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 17, 2026 11:31 PM ET

Tarik Skubal Dominates ABS Challenge as Tigers Defeat Blue Jays 6-1

The Detroit Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 at TD Ballpark in Dunedin. The Grapefruit League mark now stands at 5-11 with four ties.

Skubal’s outing and ABS challenge

Tarik Skubal used the ABS challenge and dominated the moment, helping the Tigers beat the Blue Jays 6-1. He tapped his hat to initiate a review after Vic Carapazza ruled a 96.2 mph down-and-in fastball a ball to Davis Schneider.

The challenge overturned the call for a first-inning strikeout. Skubal said the top of the zone remains the biggest learning point under ABS.

Skubal worked 4 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on three hits with zero walks and seven strikeouts.

His fastball averaged 97.3 mph and topped out at 99.1. He generated 10 whiffs on 33 swings while mixing fastballs, sliders, changeups and curveballs.

Skubal returned to Detroit after pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He is 29 and is scheduled for one more spring start before Opening Day.

Offense and key moments

Max Scherzer started for the Blue Jays and threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five on 65 pitches.

Scherzer signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Blue Jays in March, with up to $10 million in incentives. He struck out prospect Kevin McGonigle on a three-pitch sequence in the first inning.

The Tigers rallied against reliever Tommy Nance in the fifth. Back-to-back walks to Parker Meadows and Kevin McGonigle set the table.

Matt Vierling ripped an RBI double down the left-field corner. Wenceel Pérez followed with an RBI single on a bobbled play by the shortstop.

Vierling added another RBI double in the seventh after a McGonigle walk. Vierling finished with two hits and a 104 mph exit velocity.

RBI singles by John Peck and Andrew Jenkins in the eighth extended Detroit’s lead. An additional run later sealed the 6-1 final.

Bullpen and roster notes

Detroit used four relievers after Skubal. Jack Little recorded the final out of the fifth and worked the sixth.

Burch Smith handled the seventh and struck out RJ Schreck on a 95.2 mph fastball. He also walked Arjun Nimmala before inducing a double play to end the inning.

Tanner Rainey threw the eighth. Sean Guenther closed with a scoreless ninth. Smith and Guenther are appearing likely to contend for Opening Day roster spots.