Tarik Skubal Pitches Six Innings in Dodgers Debut, but Cubs Win 5-1

CHICAGO — Tarik Skubal pitched six effective innings in his Los Angeles Dodgers debut on Tuesday night, but the Dodgers managed only four hits in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner was booed when he was introduced with the starting lineups and again when he walked to the mound for his first career appearance at Wrigley Field. He said he enjoyed it.

"Whether they're rooting against you or for you, I love the fans," Skubal said. "This game is about the fans as much as it's about the players. But the fans create the environment. It's a ton of fun to play in front of crowds like that, even if they're booing me or whatever it is."

Skubal, 29, was acquired in a trade with Detroit on Saturday night. He allowed two runs and four hits, struck out six and walked two, throwing 85 pitches, 51 for strikes. With the Tigers he had gone 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA over his last six starts, striking out 50 in 37 innings. He is eligible for free agency after this season.

"Tarik's stuff was good. It was good," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I think that this was the first time I saw him live, but even when it's not perfect, it's still pretty dang good."

Hours before the start, a plane flew over Wrigley Field trailing a banner that read "THE DODGERS RUINED BASEBALL." The message appeared to be upside down.

Skubal struck out three while retiring his first six batters. Dansby Swanson homered on his first pitch of the third inning, and Nico Hoerner drove in a second run on an infield chopper in the sixth to put Chicago ahead 2-1.

"I'm glad he's on our side," shortstop Mookie Betts said. "He did an amazing job tonight."

Center fielder Andy Pages robbed Seiya Suzuki and Pedro Ramírez with two catches, and Kyle Tucker made a lunging grab in right in the second inning.

Skubal threw to Ben Rortvedt, acquired from the New York Mets a day earlier. The Dodgers also activated catcher Hunter Feduccia, obtained from Tampa Bay on Monday, optioned Eliezer Alfonzo to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated Chuckie Robinson for assignment. Will Smith is working back from a neck issue, and Dalton Rushing went on the 10-day injured list Monday with right elbow inflammation; an MRI revealed a slight UCL tear that will keep him from throwing for a few weeks.