Pirates fade after jumping on Skubal early, fall to Dodgers

Pittsburgh Pirates' Bryan Reynolds, center, scores on a triple by Oneil Cruz as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt, left, stands by and Esmerlyn Valdez watches during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Mark J. Terrill

This article originally appeared on PGHBaseballNOW.

The Pirates jumped on Tarik Skubal early but were unable to add on and fell 4-3 to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. 

Key Moments

The Pirates had the tying run on third base with one out in the eighth after pinch-runner Billy Cook advanced to third on a passed ball. Evan Phillips struck out Bryan Reynolds and Jack Dreyer struck out Oneil Cruz looking.

Player of the Game

Tarik Skubal allowed three runs in the first inning for the first time since 2022 but settled in and delivered seven strong innings. He struck out 11 batters, the most he’s had in a game since getting traded to the Dodgers at the deadline.

Stat to Know

After a Jared Triolo single in the second inning, the Pirates didn’t get another hit until Esmerlyn Valdez’s one-out double in the eighth.

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