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Blake Snell looked every bit like an ace in his first start back from left elbow surgery, striking out 10 over six innings as the Dodgers beat the Royals on a walk-off single by Max Muncy in the 10th inning, per the LA Times and DodgerBlue.com. The win gives the Dodgers consecutive victories after a rough 1-5 road trip.

Snell’s performance was legitimately impressive and exactly what this pitching staff needed. Ten strikeouts in six innings is dominant by any measure, but doing it in your first game back from elbow surgery elevates it further. Snell, who signed with the Dodgers as a free agent after winning his second Cy Young Award with the Padres in 2023, has dealt with injuries that have limited his availability over the past couple of seasons. When healthy, he’s one of the most electric left-handers in baseball — a power arm with a wipeout slider who can make lineups look foolish. The left elbow surgery kept him out for a significant stretch, and there were fair questions about what he’d look like on the other side. This start answered those questions emphatically. The stuff was there, the command was there, and 10 punchouts suggest his velocity and spin rates are right where they need to be.

Muncy continues to be the kind of hitter who can change a game with one swing. His walk-off single in the 10th capped a gutsy win that the Dodgers absolutely needed after that ugly road trip. Muncy has been a cornerstone of this lineup for years now — a switch-hitter with elite plate discipline and power from both sides. He’s had his own injury battles, including a UCL issue in his elbow that cost him significant time in previous seasons, but when he’s in the lineup, he provides a level of on-base ability and run production that’s hard to replace. A walk-off hit in a tight game against a good Royals team is exactly the kind of moment that can spark a run.

The game wasn’t without its frustrations. Per DodgerBlue.com, many of the same troubling signs persisted, including unsuccessful ABS challenges — something that’s been a recurring headache. But the headline here is Snell’s return to form. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but if Snell can pitch anywhere close to this level consistently, it changes the entire complexion of the rotation. Pair him with Tarik Skubal, who just made his Dodger Stadium debut in the series opener, and Shohei Ohtani on the mound, and this is a rotation that can match up with anyone in October.

Back-to-back wins at home after that 1-5 trip feel significant. The Dodgers needed to stop the bleeding, and they’ve done that. Snell looking sharp takes a major concern off the board — at least for now. We’ll see how he bounces back for his next outing, but the early returns from surgery are about as good as anyone could have hoped for.

Source(s): Staff (LA Times) | Staff (DodgerBlue.com) | First reported: August 12, 2026 5:29 AM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers