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Tarik Skubal looked shaky out of the gate in Pittsburgh, but the left-hander settled in fast and reminded everyone why the Dodgers wanted him. Eleven strikeouts, a gutsy bounce-back performance, and Los Angeles escaped with a four to three victory over the Pirates — Skubal's first win in Dodger blue.
Meanwhile in Cincinnati, JJ Bleday put on one of the purest offensive displays you'll see all season. The Reds outfielder hit for the cycle in his very first four at-bats against Arizona, checking every box — single, double, triple, home run — before most fans had finished their first hot dog. That's a special kind of night.
And we have to pass along some sobering news out of the NFL preseason. Philadelphia Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was carted off the field by ambulance after going down on the opening kickoff against New England Saturday. The Eagles have not yet released a full update, but the fact that he had movement after the injury offers some early encouragement. Our thoughts are with him tonight.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
