Cubs Beat Dodgers 5-1 as Tarik Skubal Makes Los Angeles Debut

Cubs Defeat Dodgers 5-1 as Tarik Skubal Makes Los Angeles Debut

Tarik Skubal made his much-anticipated debut for Los Angeles after being acquired in a trade with Detroit on Saturday night. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner allowed just two runs and four hits over six innings, striking out six batters and walking two while throwing 85 pitches, 51 for strikes. Skubal compared the atmosphere to his major league debut, noting felt like my Major League debut, same type of vibe in terms of the nerves running through according to Bleacherreport. Skubal retired his first six batters before yielding the game’s opening run to Chicago in the third inning.

Los Angeles Dodgers Acquire Ace Tarik Skubal from Tigers

Swanson and Hoerner Lead Chicago Offense

Dansby Swanson sparked the Cubs’ offense by driving Skubal’s first pitch of the third inning to left-center for his 17th home run of the season. Swanson finished the night 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Nico Hoerner delivered the go-ahead run in the sixth inning with a high chopper to the right of the mound for an infield single that allowed Alex Bregman to score, breaking a 1-1 tie. Hoerner later added a solo home run off Edwin Díaz in the eighth inning, marking his third homer in his last nine games.

Scott Harris Defends Return in Tarik Skubal Trade to Los Angeles Dodgers

The Cubs added insurance in the seventh inning with RBI singles from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki. Javier Assad started on the mound for Chicago and held the Dodgers to one run across 5.2 innings, lowering his ERA to 3.58 on the year. Ryan Rolison earned the win in relief by pitching a scoreless inning, improving his record to 6-1. Late-inning work from Ryan Zeferjahn, who made his first appearance in a Cubs uniform with a perfect eighth inning, and Jacob Webb preserved the victory.

Dodgers Extend Skid Despite Early Homer

Los Angeles manufactured its only run in the second inning when Kyle Tucker launched a 2-1 sinker from Assad to left-center for his 10th home run of the season. Tucker, who signed a $240 million, four-year contract with the Dodgers in free agency after playing for Chicago last season, heard boos for the second consecutive night in his return to Wrigley Field. Despite Tucker’s early blast, the Dodgers finished the contest with only four hits.

Dodgers Leadership Defends Roster Strategy After Acquiring Tarik Skubal

Skubal absorbed the loss, dropping his record to 7-6 on the season. The defeat leaves the Dodgers looking to snap their skid in the series finale, where Eric Lauer (6-5, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start against Chicago left-hander Shota Imanaga (7-9, 3.67 ERA).