Tarik Skubal Strikes Out 11 to Earn First Win with Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal struck out 11 batters over seven innings to secure his first win since joining the team, leading a 4-3 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Dodger Stadium.

Skubal allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while earning his first win in four starts with Los Angeles. The victory marked the fifth consecutive win for the National League West-leading Dodgers.

The Pirates built an early 3-0 lead in the first inning on consecutive singles from Esmerlyn Valdez and Bryan Reynolds, followed by a two-run triple from Oneil Cruz and an RBI groundout from Rafael Flores Jr.

After yielding two hits in the second, Skubal retired 20 of his final 23 batters. Offensively, Teoscar Hernandez and Alek Thomas delivered RBI singles in the fourth, while Kyle Tucker drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a two-run single in the fifth.

The left-handed pitcher reflected on his initial struggles in the opening inning after the game.

"I always think it’s important for any pitcher to see how you respond to those moments, getting punched in the mouth," Skubal said. "I think that’s when the true who-you-really-are kind of shows out. And yeah, that’s something I take a ton of pride in."

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts praised Skubal's stamina and command throughout the outing.

"That's the guy that we needed," Roberts said.

The starting pitcher noted the need for minor adjustments despite his strong overall performance across seven innings.

"Early in games, I might just be trying to feel it out too much instead of just competing with what I got in that moment," Skubal said. "That's something that I need to make a change for."

Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker emphasized the impact of Skubal shutting down the opposing lineup following the early deficit.

"He's given us some really good starts since he's come over here, and obviously, he's one of the best pitchers in the league for a reason," Tucker said. "Him coming back, especially after that first inning, and putting up a lot of zeros after that was huge."

The starting pitcher highlighted the importance of team cohesion as he adjusts to his new ballclub after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers.

“I think everybody in here, we’re constantly kind of learning each other and developing relationships," Skubal said. "Those are important to have going forward, especially if we want to go where we want to go, just developing those relationships and understanding what adjustments need to be made."

Roberts noted the pitcher's physical ability to generate high velocity late in his start.

"You can see that when he needs to reach back for more, it's in there," Roberts said.

Skubal acknowledged that while he aims to improve early execution, his physical feel remains strong.

"I'm not gonna be perfect out there, but I definitely need to be better in the first inning," Skubal said. "But other than that, I thought my execution was good. The stuff coming out of my hand is as good as it's ever been."

The pitcher further explained his ability to maintain fastball velocity deep into starts.

"I feel like I've always been able to sustain velocity, from pitch one to pitch however many I'm allowed to go," Skubal said. "When I feel confident commanding the ball, that's when I feel like I can really start letting it rip and it's going to go where I want it to go."

Roberts reiterated the importance of Skubal providing length to preserve the team's relief pitchers.

"That's the guy that we needed. Completing seven innings, reset the bullpen, great outing," Roberts said. "He's very physical, and you can see that when he needs to reach back for more, it's in there."

The left-hander expressed confidence in the team's overall roster strength and potential going forward.

"We got a ton of really good arms here, a ton of talent, and it's just about us going out there and playing baseball and executing," Skubal said. "When we're doing that, we're the best team in the league."

Pirates manager Don Kelly commented on how Skubal adapted to Pittsburgh's hitters after the initial frame.

“I don’t think that our approach changed," Kelly said. "I think that he adjusted, and we did not do a good job of adjusting back.”

Tanner Scott pitched a scoreless ninth inning to secure his 19th save of the season, while Yohan Ramirez took the loss in relief for Pittsburgh.