Tarik Skubal’s initial outing in a Dodgers jersey did not result in a win, but the newly acquired Los Angeles hurler displayed numerous positive indicators even as his teammates failed to provide much offensive support.
The Dodgers suffered a 5-1 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday, extending their season-long losing skid to five games. Chicago came into the contest with a 64-49 record and holding the top National League wild-card spot, while Los Angeles fell to 69-45 after the setback.
Skubal flashes potential despite tough luck in debut
Skubal could not earn a victory in his first appearance for the Dodgers, yet his performance was far better than the final line indicated. The left-hander gave up two earned runs on four hits over six innings, recording six strikeouts and issuing two walks.
His breaking stuff was not at its sharpest during the early frames, but Skubal still managed to dominate hitters in key moments. He also received solid support from the outfield defense and opened his Dodgers tenure by punching out Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The first run against him came on a solo homer by Dansby Swanson. The Cubs infielder connected for his 17th long ball of the season, sending a deep drive out of the park that left Skubal with little chance to prevent the damage.
Dodgers debut reveals challenges against Cubs’ attack
The second run charged to Skubal came in a far more complicated sequence. After striking out Crow-Armstrong to open the sixth inning, Skubal walked Seiya Suzuki before Alex Bregman lifted a deep fly ball toward right field.
Kyle Tucker could not make the difficult catch near the wall, and while the play was not scored as an error, it prolonged the inning. With runners on second and third, Skubal induced two ground balls, but the second one took a strange hop over his head and resulted in an infield single that brought home the go-ahead run.
Despite the outcome, Skubal limited hard contact for most of the night. The only two balls hit with authority were Swanson’s homer and Bregman’s double. The other hits came from Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner on an infield play.
Cubs’ win highlights Dodgers’ offensive struggles
The main problem for Los Angeles was the inability to score runs. The Dodgers managed just one run while Skubal was in the game, with Tucker providing the offense via a second-inning home run.
Chicago starter Javier Assad navigated several tricky situations and got help from his defense, which turned two double plays. He quieted the Dodgers’ lineup while his team built its lead.
The Cubs tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning when Swanson doubled and Crow-Armstrong followed with a base hit. After stealing second, Crow-Armstrong scored on Suzuki’s single. Chicago’s bullpen then kept Los Angeles in check, including a spotless eighth inning from newly acquired Ryan Zeferjahn.
Hoerner added another run with a home run in the bottom of the eighth, making the final score 5-1.
Skubal and Dodgers focus on moving forward after slump
For the Dodgers, the main silver lining was Skubal’s solid first impression despite the loss. He generated 13 swings and misses on 43 pitches and escaped several dangerous situations during his outing.
There are still areas where the new pitcher can refine his game, especially with his secondary offerings, but his debut showed why Los Angeles pursued him aggressively.
The larger issue remains the club’s recent slide. The Dodgers have now dropped five straight games and own a 10-14 record since July 3.