The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped their two-game losing streak with an 8-0 shutout of the Chicago White Sox, led by strong pitching from Julio Urias and David Price, and early contributions by Corey Seager.
After Urias needed just four pitches to work a perfect first inning, Seager began a rally with an infield single. Justin Turner’s base hit put runners at the corners with one out, and AJ Pollock’s RBI single gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Matt Beaty later blooped a two-run single into shallow left field, which knocked White Sox starter Mike Wright out of the game. Zach Burdi was the third White Sox pitcher on the afternoon, and his relief appearance began with back-to-back walks to start the second.
A notorious first-pitch hitter, Seager ambushed a fastball from Burdi and deposited it over the fence in center field for a three-run homer. Sheldon Neuse and Jacob Amaya each delivered an RBI single in the sixth inning to cap off the rout.
Urias was only planned to pitch two innings but his efficiency led to a third frame of work. Urias turned in three perfect innings on just 26 pitches. “His last outing was just missing with the fastball, so today, located where he wanted to and the change was good as well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the win.
“Just a really clean outing for Julio.”
Price shines out of bullpen
David Price made his 2021 Spring Training debut earlier than Roberts had recently indicated, but the bigger surprise was it came out of the bullpen. Price only threw one inning, collecting one strikeout in the process.
Although the Dodgers have not committed to a set Opening Day rotation, it is plausible Price will begin the season out of the bullpen. “I can see him pitching in any role that we have for him,” Roberts said before the game.
“David, being the pro and teammate that he is, also voiced that. Whatever role we see is best for the Dodgers in 2021, that’s what he wants to do. That’s just a credit to him. But our job is still to build him up for whatever potentially could happen and continue to give us some options.”
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