DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers are struggling so much that a strong performance from Tarik Skubal was not enough to stop their late-season slide.

Detroit's ace gave up one run over six innings against the Cleveland Guardians and they took advantage of him being replaced in a 3-1 win on Thursday.

He allowed seven hits and walked two in a 102-pitch outing. His nine strikeouts brought him to a single-season career best 233.

“I felt good,” said Skubal, who had tightness on his left side during his previous start. “The loss is probably more of what I'm focused on, rather than how I'm feeling.”

Cleveland has won seven straight to close within 3 1/2 games of the AL Central-leading Tigers with a little more than a week left in the regular season. The teams are scheduled for three more games

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