A frightening scene unfolded at Progressive Field during the Cleveland Guardians-Detroit Tigers game on Tuesday night when Guardians’ David Fry was struck in the face by a foul tip from Tigers’ pitcher Tarik Skubal. The incident occurred in the sixth inning with the Guardians trailing 2-1 and runners on the corners, no outs. Fry, attempting a sacrifice bunt, was hit by Skubal’s 99 mph fastball, which struck the bat and redirected into Fry’s face. Fry crumpled to the ground in pain, and Skubal, visibly shaken, dropped his glove and hat in disbelief. Trainers rushed to the scene, and Fry was taken off the field with blood streaming from his nose. His night was effectively over, and he was replaced by pinch hitter George Valera to complete the at-bat.
The aftermath of the incident had immediate consequences for Skubal, who was already one of the best pitchers in MLB and a strong contender for the 2024 Cy Young Award. His first pitch after the accident was wild, allowing the runner at third to score and tie the game. A subsequent balk allowed Jose Ramirez to reach second base, leading to an eventual 3-2 lead for the Guardians heading into the seventh inning. Despite the incident, Skubal was still able to navigate the inning, though his performance was clearly affected. The game, which had huge playoff implications, saw the Guardians take a one-game lead in the race for the American League’s playoff spot. Each game in this crucial stretch of the season carries significant weight, as only a handful of games remain to determine which team will secure a World Series berth in October.