The Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves in a pitchers’ duel for a second consecutive game and again emerged victorious, edging the Milwaukee Brewers, 3-1, to extend their winning streak to five games.
In what was his final start before moving to the bullpen in conjunction with Hyun-Jin Ryu returning this weekend, Julio Urias was nothing short of stellar. He retired 12 of the first 14 batters faced to get through four no-hit innings, then picked up two outs in the fifth.
Orlando Arcia worked a full count before driving a single up the middle to break up the no-hitter on Urias’ 78th pitch of the game. The young left-hander didn’t show any signs of disappointment as he struck out pinch-hitter Eric Thames.
The one hit was all Urias allowed as he set a career high with nine strikeouts over six scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season. Urias became the youngest Dodgers starter with nine strikeouts and one hit or fewer since Clayton Kershaw in 2009.
Urias factored into the decision thanks to Cody Bellinger taking a changeup from Brewers relief pitcher Matt Albers and lining it for a solo home run to right field. Bellinger’s 10th homer temporarily broke a tie with Christian Yelich for the National League lead and pulled him even with Khris Davis for the MLB lead.
A.J. Pollock followed with a single and Max Muncy added to the string of hits with a two-run homer to left-center field. Muncy’s home run wound up being the difference and he previously doubled in the game, showing more signs of emerging from an early-season slump.
Albers’ trouble undid the work of Zach Davies, who again pitched around traffic. After Davies retired the side in order in the first, the Dodgers left a baserunner on in each of the next four innings. Included in that were three instances with a runner stranded in scoring position.
While they failed to capitalize on their opportunities, the Dodgers worked Davies’ pitch count and that presumably was a factor in Thames pinch-hitting in the fifth inning.
The Dodgers lost their bid for a shutout when Kenley Jansen allowed a leadoff home run to Yelich in the bottom of the ninth inning before converting his sixth save.
