Tarik Skubal and Kyle Tucker power Dodgers to

Tarik Skubal hadn’t delivered a signature outing, nor had he earned a win, over his first three begins with the Dodgers.

And six minutes into Saturday’s recreation against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner appeared on his method to his worst efficiency yet with his new membership, giving up three runs on three hits.

Then, the left-hander that supervisor Dave Roberts has been ready for finally arrived, giving up just two hits over the next six innings while hanging out 11 in a 4-3 win.

“Obviously the first inning didn’t go great,” Roberts said after the series-clinching win. “But just seeing him on the attack after they got those two runners on in the second inning — from that point on, it was a different pitcher.

“Yeah, that’s the guy that we needed; completing seven innings, reset the bullpen; great outing.”

Skubal finally seemed like himself, incomes a standing ovation as he walked off the sphere in the seventh.

“It feels good, obviously, to get the first one out of the way,” said Skubal as “Scooby Doo Pa Pa” by DJ Kass blared in the clubhouse. “I didn’t do a good job early in the game, but the boys picked me up and were able to keep us in a game. The offense got going, and that’s all we needed to get a win today.”

Kyle Tucker was one of the Dodgers (79-51) who obtained going.

Riding an 0-for-26 drought and hitting below the Mendoza Line at home, Tucker delivered a go-ahead, two-run single off Yohan Ramirez in the fifth, giving the Dodgers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

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1. Kyle Tucker runs to first base after hitting a go-ahead, two-run single against the Pirates in the fifth inning Saturday. 2. Tucker will get a pat on the back from Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts after the Dodgers’ win. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

“I don’t, like, keep up with the stats like that,” Tucker said. “I’m just trying to go up there … try and have a quality at-bat, whether it’s working a long at-bat or drawing a walk, getting ahead [or] moving guys over.”

Roberts has been outspoken in his help of Tucker and was thrilled to see the four-time All-Star have a good second in entrance of the twelfth sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium this season.

“Obviously, everyone’s talking about the splits and how much he struggled at home,” Roberts said. “But I do think that the fans, every at-bat, cheering for him — you gotta feel that as a player. … It was really good for him to come through right there.”

Another Dodger who got here through was Alek Thomas. Called up from triple-A Oklahoma City after heart fielder Andy Pages sustained a hand fracture Friday, Thomas delivered an RBI single off Pirates starter Jared Jones, a Whittier native, in the fourth.

“It’s been a little while,” said Thomas, who made his Dodgers debut after spending 55 video games in Oklahoma City. “So, I’m super glad to be back, and happy to help the team in any way, shape or form.”

Over elements of 5 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thomas heard his truthful share of boos when enjoying in Dodger Stadium.

“It’s funny, because they always hated me whenever I came out there in center field,” said Thomas, who was acquired by the Dodgers in May. “I was, like, ‘Come on, guys, I’m Mexican too. You don’t have to yell at me; like, we’re on the same side here.’

“But, obviously … it doesn’t matter where you’re from. ‘If you’re not a Dodgers guy, you’re not my guy.’”

Dodgers heart fielder Alek Thomas factors skyward next to first base coach Chris Woodward after hitting an RBI single in the fourth inning Saturday.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Relievers Evan Phillips, Jack Dreyer and Tanner Scott mixed for two shutout innings. Dreyer struck out Oneil Cruz wanting to end the top of the eighth with a runner on third, combating off the Pirates’ closing gasp.

The Dodgers, who have gained 5 straight for the first time since late May, will look to sweep Pittsburgh (63-68) on Sunday.

“I’m excited,”
Skubal said. “You got a ton of really good arms here and a ton of talent. It’s just about us going out there and playing baseball and executing. And when we’re doing that, we’re the best team in the league.”