{
  "id": 27461,
  "title": "Tigers hold off Athletics as Tarik Skubal trade rumors swirl",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/tigers-hold-off-athletics-as-tarik-skubal-trade-rumors-swirl",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T04:56:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tigers-hold-off-athletics-tarik-045645395.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sacramento, Calif. — The Tigers demonstrated resilience as they defeated the Athletics 8-6 on Saturday night, marking their second consecutive win against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Manager AJ Hinch praised the team's unity, stating, \"We’ve done a really good job as a group just locking down with one another and not worrying about what we can’t control.\" The game's focus remained on the uncertainty surrounding pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, whose potential trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers was reported on the off day Monday. Despite these speculations, Skubal and Mize continued their performance on the mound. Kevin McGonigle, Gleyber Torres, and Max Clark led the offense with a combined five home runs, becoming the first 21-year-old duo to accomplish this feat in a single game. McGonigle, in particular, showcased his prowess with three hits and the game's leadoff homer. The Tigers' versatile lineup contributed significantly, with Spencer Torkelson, Clark, Colt Keith, Eduardo Valencia, and Kevin McGonigle all registering multiple hits. Framber Valdez, a key pitcher under contract for three years and $115 million, secured an 8-2 lead in the game, limiting the Athletics to minimal scoring. The Tigers' victory extended their lead to 5.5 games in the Central Division and three games in the Wild Card race.",
  "summary": "The Tigers secured an 8-6 win against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park, their second straight victory. Homers by Kevin McGonigle, Gleyber Torres, and Max Clark contributed to the win. Clark's homer was his first in the big leagues. The Tigers' manager, AJ Hinch, noted that the team has done a good job of focusing on the game despite trade rumors surrounding players like Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize.\n\nDuring the game, news broke that Skubal had been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-handed pitcher River Ryan, pitching prospect Brady Smith, and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. This development came as the Tigers were working towards their win, with lefty Framber Valdez pitching seven innings and limiting the damage to single runs in the third and fourth innings.\n\nThe game tightened up in the later innings, with the Athletics scoring multiple runs, including a three-run home run by Henry Bolte in the eighth. However, the Tigers' relievers, including Kenley Jansen, were able to hold off the Athletics and secure the win, with Jansen earning his 13th save. The victory moves the Tigers to 5.5 games back in the Central Division and three games back in the Wild Card race.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tigers defeat Athletics 8-6 in second consecutive win",
    "Rumors swirl around potential trade of Skubal and Mize to Dodgers",
    "McGonigle and Torres lead offense with five home runs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "The Dodgers, with Tarik Skubal now in the fold, become even more imposing, infuriating and inevitable",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/the-dodgers-with-tarik-skubal-now-in-the-fold-become-even-more",
        "published": "2026-08-02T04:44:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}