WEST SACRAMENTO, CA — Left-hander Tarik Skubal exchanged words with home plate umpire Dan Bellino in the third inning Monday, Aug. 25, during the Detroit Tigers ' series opener against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park.

The dispute stemmed from a second-pitch four-seam fastball to JJ Bleday , which Bellino called a ball but Skubal argued should've been a strike.

Skubal was right; Bellino was wrong.

After the game, Skubal — the reigning American League Cy Young winner who surrendered a grand slam in the seventh inning — had to be reminded of the interaction.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot that even happened," Skubal said. "I'm not going to say much about it." Expert MLB daily picks: Unique MLB betting insights only at USA TODAY MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Tigers 2026 schedule: Opening Day

See Full Page