Julio Urias was very good on Sunday. He began the afternoon by attacking Giants hitters with a mid-90's fastball and an effective curveball. Then, more offspeed pitches came into play. Through the first five innings he had given up just two hits, struck out six, walked one batter and given up no runs. Unfortunately, an errant pitch by Urias in the sixth inning was deposited in the right field seats by Brandon Belt to give the Giants enough runs to win the game. Via Mark Chiarelli at MLB.com:
"It was just a slider that stayed there," Urias said through an interpreter. "Like I've said before, I can miss once, but the second time, I can't miss."AJ Ellis adds more, via Doug Padilla at ESPN:
Belt was the last batter Urias faced, which manager Dave Roberts said was the plan regardless of the outcome. Los Angeles has kept Urias on a strict pitch count as he develops stamina in the Majors, and he departed having thrown 86 pitches. Roberts noted that Urias had struck out Belt twice prior to the home run.
"I wanted him to get through Belt," Roberts said. "It wasn't a terrible pitch. It got a little too much of the plate."
“Sunday Night Baseball, biggest rival, pennant race starting to take form,” catcher A.J. Ellis said afterward. “For him to step in and throw the ball the way he did for 5 1/3 was phenomenal. The mix, the ability to finish guys with his fastball -- a lot of life on the ball today.”The Dodgers were defeated 2-1, and are now five games back of the Giants. Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016. Go here to see more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1973 the infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey play for the very first time together on the infield. Then, ten days later they were inserted into the starting lineup for the first time and remained there for the next 8 1/2 years. In 1998 the first triple play at Dodger Stadium is completed.
- Happy Birthday, Bill Bergen!
