The Los Angeles Dodgers took the first of a two-game set with the Arizona Diamodbacks behind a tremendous performance from Julio Urías, clutch hitting from the offense and timely defense.
Kiké Hernández put the Dodgers on the board with an RBI single in the second inning, which came after a double from David Peralta to set the table. Although Hernández was not scheduled to be part of the lineup when it was first posted, J.D. Martinez was scratched with continued left hamstring and groin tightness, which led to the utility man drawing the start.
The 1-0 lead remained until the Dodgers broke it open a bit in the fifth inning that started when James Outman walked and Amed Rosario grounded into a fielder’s choice with an error that allowed him to reach second.
That was followed by back-to-back doubles from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman to put the Dodgers up by three runs. Will Smith then singled to put runners at the corners and Max Muncy gave L.A. a 4-0 lead with a sacrifice fly, which chased Diamondbacks’ starter Brandon Pfaadt from the game.
Triple-double! pic.twitter.com/eZaq5SFKlf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 9, 2023
DAVID! 😱 pic.twitter.com/8BOawZiwQJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 9, 2023
All smiles. pic.twitter.com/Th4HejPnV7
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 9, 2023
RBI single courtesy of Mookie Betts Insurance Co. pic.twitter.com/X9CHM5HA9z
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 9, 2023
That's game! #DodgersWin pic.twitter.com/FbNYru6dM5
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 9, 2023
Urías continued to shut the door on Arizona, exiting with a 4-0 lead after six scoreless innings while only allowing three baserunners. That shutout did not come without some help though, as Peralta took away a two-run homer from Carson Kelly in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Following Urías, Ryan Braiser worked a scoreless seventh inning, but the bullpen ran into some trouble for the rest of the night. Alex Vesia took over in the eighth and allowed a walk and single before being lifted with one out for Brusdar Graterol.
The right-hander promptly allowed two singles that cut the Dodgers’ lead to two runs before he retired the side.
The Dodgers added an insurance run that proved to be the winning run in the ninth inning when Outman walked and stole second base. He came around to score on a single from Betts, putting L.A. up 5-2.
Evan Phillips was given the save opportunity, but he had one of his worst outings in recent memory. The closer walked Geraldo Perdomo before giving up a triple and single to Alex Thomas and Ketel Marte, cutting the lead to just one run.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, Phillips was able to record the save by getting Corbin Carroll to ground into a double play after the rookie center fielder thought the ball was foul and did not run out of the box, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 victory.
Julio Urías extends scoreless streak for Dodgers
Although Urías has not had the season he’s hopped for, the southpaw seems to be getting back on track with back-to-back scoreless outings.
He has now thrown 14 consecutive scoreless innings, and while those came against two struggling offenses in the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks, it’s still a positive sight for arguably the biggest X-factor on the pitching staff.
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