Tarik Skubal strikes out 8 in Tigers' 4-3 win over White Sox, exchanges remarks with opposing dugout

In his first start at Comerica Park since returning from left elbow surgery, Tarik Skubal notched 8 strikeouts in the Detroit Tigers’ 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Skubal wasn’t quite in his back-to-back AL Cy Young Award-winning form, giving up 3 runs and 7 hits (two of them home runs) in 5 2/3 innings. But after telling the Detroit News’ Chris McCosky that “we need to play better baseball or else,” the left-hander did what he could to help the Tigers — who have the fourth-worst record in MLB — to a win against the AL Central co-leader.

After the two teams traded first-inning home runs, the White Sox tied the score at 2-2 in the fifth inning on singles from Sam Antonacci and Luisangel Acuña, followed by an RBI groundout by Tristan Peters. Chicago then loaded the bases on a Miguel Vargas single, Randal Grichuk walk and Chase Meidroth reaching on a fielder’s choice.

Skubal then struck out Colson Montgomery on a changeup (and some help on a high first-pitch strike called by home plate umpire Rob Drake) and pointed at the White Sox dugout as he walked off the mound.

Cameras quickly zeroed in on White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil being the target of Skubal’s gesture. Or at least he’s the one who visibly responded to the outburst and walked up the dugout steps to confront Skubal.

Following the game, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch attributed Skubal’s emotion to pitching at home in front of a loud Friday night crowd versus a division (and city) rival.

“Obviously, some chirping going on and the competitiveness comes out,” Hinch said.

Asked if he knew exactly what was said, Hinch said he couldn’t hear anything. However, he did talk to umpire Jordan Baker to make sure nothing was held against Skubal when he pitched the sixth inning.

Skubal didn’t offer any specifics when asked about the exchange with Vasil.

“One, I’m a competitive guy. I kinda wear my emotions out there and that’s how I play the game,” he said. “I think it’s just baseball, going back and forth. It’s over with.”

Besides chalking up his emotion to his competitive nature, perhaps Skubal also felt some pressure after publicly putting his teammates on notice. Play better or the team will probably be broken up at the trade deadline, including Skubal almost certainly being dealt away. His demonstration walking off the field may have been a release, knowing he didn’t pitch up to his usual standard.

In two starts since returning from his “NanoNeedle” procedure, Skubal has allowed 5 runs and 12 hits in 10 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts. Knowing he still needs to improve, Skubal seems to be happy with his performance thus far.

“I’m good enough to get guys out in the big leagues right now,” he said.