Ohtani Steals the Show (and a Base) as Dodgers Rally Past Royals in Skubal's Home Debut

LOS ANGELES — It took a little chaos, a bobblehead, and the fastest legs in baseball, but the Dodgers are back in the win column.

Tarik Skubal's home debut wasn't flawless, but it was electric. The two-time Cy Young winner gave up three runs over five innings, striking out six, while the Dodgers clawed back for a 6-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night — just their second win in 10 games.

A Debut With Early Drama

The crowd gave Skubal a warm welcome, but the Royals weren't in the mood for a party. Kansas City jumped on him early: Bobby Witt Jr. swiped second and scored on Jac Caglianone's dribbler in the first. Then Caglianone smashed his 21st homer of the year in the third, putting the Dodgers in a 3-2 hole.

Muncy Brings the Boom

Then came Max Muncy's moment. On his own bobblehead night, of course. Muncy cleared the bases with a three-run double in the sixth, flipping the game and sending the Dodger Stadium crowd into a frenzy.

But the Royals had a response. Kyle Isbel — a kid from the Inland Empire — hammered a two-run homer in the seventh off Jack Dreyer to tie it at 5. His first homer since April 22. Ouch.

Ohtani Flips the Script

Then Shohei Ohtani did what Ohtani does. He singled off Alex Lange, stole his first base since May 16 — yeah, it's been that long — and then came around to score on Freddie Freeman's single. Go-ahead run. 6-5. Dodgers up. And this time, they didn't let it slip away.

Edwin Diaz, the big-money closer, slammed the door with a perfect ninth for his sixth save, shaking off back-to-back blown saves in Arizona last weekend.

Noah Cameron pitched into the sixth for Kansas City, allowing six hits and four runs. The Royals have lost nine of 13.

What's Next?

The Dodgers hand the ball to Blake Snell — the other Cy Young guy — who makes just his second start of the season (0-1, 12.00 ERA). Michael Wacha (5-8, 3.44) goes for Kansas City. Buckle up.