Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers prevailed over the Brewers tonight, 6-5, and as a result rookie phenom Julio Urias finally got his first MLB win. Actually, it was a night of firsts for Urias, who also got his first MLB hit, first MLB RBI, and it was the first time he’s gone 100 pitches as a professional.
This is the first time Julio Urias has reached 100 pitches in 76 pro appearances.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 29, 2016
While Urias battled his fastball command all night, as evidenced by his six walks, he still managed to keep the Dodgers in the game and then some. Urias gave up two runs on two hits, but managed to wiggle out of the trouble he got himself into with six strikeouts. Just observationally, I liked the adjustment to start using his changeup more against righties as an out-pitch, as his breaking balls seem like more of a swing-and-miss pitch against lefties for now.
Oh yeah, his pick-off move definitely plays.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
👌 pic.twitter.com/6P36EU4xs5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 29, 2016
And that was after a previous pick-off was just overturned.
Julio Urias has a pickoff in 4 straight starts, and counting the minors has 9 pickoffs in his last 11 starts
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) June 29, 2016
The bat plays as well, I guess.
Fortunately, the offense did their job (sorta), getting six runs on 12 hits and five walks. In addition to the Urias RBI single, Yasmani Grandal had two RBI on outs, Joc Pederson and Adrian Gonzalez both had RBI singles, and A-Gon scored on a throwing error after Trayce Thompson stole second. However, they did leave 11 runners on base, which ended up almost costing them.
Why? Because for whatever reason Pedro Baez is still thought of as the setup man despite being the second-worst reliever in the pen. Baez gave up a lead-off single, and then Corey Seager did his best Hanley Ramirez impersonation and turned a double-play ball into a runners on second and third with nobody out situation after he threw the ball into the dugout. Baez then gave up a double to cut the lead to 6-4, and he was removed from the game for Joe Blanton without recording an out.
Then, in potentially a brutal play for the Dodgers, Chris Carter hit Blanton’s first pitch deep to center and Joc made a huge catch after crashing into the wall, but the cost might’ve been his shoulder.
While Blanton walked two batters and a run came in on the sac fly, he eventually got through the inning with the lead down to 6-5, but a lead nonetheless. Still, it all felt empty because of the potential consequences of a Joc injury.
Update
Joc not dead.
Official update from #Dodgers on Joc Pederson. X-Rays negative and no further tests scheduled. His AC Joint is sore.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 29, 2016
In the ninth, Kenley Jansen entered with a one-run lead and struck out two for a 1-2-3 frame to close the game out.
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The Dodgers have now won two in a row to improve to 43-36 overall and 20-21 away from home. The Dodgers also now trail the Giants, who play later today, by 6.5 games.
Brock Stewart makes his MLB debut for the Dodgers tomorrow against Junior Guerra at 2:10 PM HST/5:10 PM PST/8:10 PM EST. Should be worth watching for one reason or another.
