Saturday, August 22, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

After a three-run first inning, Tarik Skubal was brilliant for seven innings, and Kyle Tucker delivered with a two-run single.

The Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4–3, on a hot Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

When the game started, Skubal was overthrowing against an aggressive Pirates team. They collected hits and three runs before people got settled in their seats. Then, he dominated the young Pirates. He had unpredictable sequences. For the first time in a Dodger uniform, Skubal had eleven strikeouts while walking one.

Evan Phillips, who has struggled since coming back from last year’s Tommy John surgery, was sharp in the eighth inning.

Tanner Scott had no problem closing out the victory.

For the first three innings, the Dodgers were held hitless. Then, Jared Jones lost his command, and the Dodgers took advantage. Teoscar Hernández had an RBI single, and Alek Thomas, playing center field, followed with another run-producing single. In the fifth inning, Tucker broke out of a prolonged home slump with a two-run single.

Before the game, Shohei Ohtani threw thirty-pitch live batting practice. He impressed everyone. While Ohtani would prefer to pitch in a game next time he pitches, the Dodgers plan him to throw another live before he appears in a game.

The Dodgers will try to lengthen their winning streak to six games with Blake Snell on the mound.