The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their 2023 season with an 8-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks led by the offensive contributions of Will Smith and James Outman, along with the pitching performance from Julio Urías.
Although the game ended up in the Dodgers’ favor, the Diamondbacks quickly jumped out to a lead, scoring a run in each of the first two innings against Urías. The left-hander ultimately settled in, finishing the night at six innings, four hits, two runs, six strikeouts and no walks.
The Dodgers tied the game in the bottom of the third inning when James Outman walked and Miguel Rojas doubled to set the table. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman could not drive them in, but with two outs, Will Smith hit a two-run single to tie the game.
The Dodgers took their first lead when Smith singled again following a walk from Betts and a single from Freeman in the fifth inning. J.D. Martinez then added another run with an RBI base hit of his own to drive in Freeman before David Peralta made it 5-2 with a single to bring home Smith.
Tie it up, Will! pic.twitter.com/QHiP6N22eS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023
Clutch like Will. pic.twitter.com/RdXx7rVlvY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023
Don't run on Mookie. pic.twitter.com/znqyTrSGrd
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023
The first of many at Dodger Stadium for James Outman! pic.twitter.com/sktqSYz5dr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023
Six strikeouts for El Culichi. #OpeningDayLA pic.twitter.com/KbPT8XD8j6
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/hCSraKwvcz
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023
In the sixth, the Dodgers continued to add on when Outman picked up his first hit at Dodger Stadium, which happened to be a two-run homer following a walk from Miguel Vargas that made the score 7-2.
Outman then collected his second hit of the game to lead off the eighth inning and Rojas followed with a single as well. Freeman walked to load the bases with one out before Smith hit a sacrifice fly to put the Dodgers up 8-2
Phil Bickford was the first to appear out of the bullpen in the seventh inning following Urías’ outing. Bickford pitched a perfect inning before Shelby Miller and Yency Almonte each retired the side in order during their inning of work to finish out the game.
Michael Grove replaced Ryan Pepiot on Dodgers Opening Day roster
The Dodgers Opening Day roster for the 2023 season was comprised of the expected 13 pitchers and 13 position players, but it did feature a surprise as Michael Grove earned a spot instead of Ryan Pepiot.
Heading into the last week of Spring Training games, the Dodgers needed to decide on a fifth member of the starting rotation, final bench player and one relief pitcher. Pepiot initially secured the final spot in the Opening Day rotation over Grove, which was an opportunity created when Tony Gonsolin suffered a left ankle sprain.
However, the Dodgers placed Pepiot on the 15-day injured list because of a left oblique strain, which opened the door for Grove.
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