After Julio Urias turned in the best outing of his young Major League career, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts unsurprisingly committed to the left-hander for another start this week.
Assuming the Dodgers’ rotation holds as is, Urias should face the Milwaukee Brewers at home on Friday. Along with giving the 19 year old another opportunity, Roberts stated he may increase Urias’ pitch count in his next start.
Facing a veteran San Francisco Giants lineup, Urias set a career high with 5.1 innings pitched and matched his career high with seven strikeouts.
The lone blemish on the afternoon was a hanging slider that Brandon Belt hit for a two-run home run that proved to be the difference in the Giants’ 2-1 victory.
“It wasn’t a terrible pitch. It just got a little too much of the plate,” Roberts said of the fateful slider.
The rookie manager was otherwise pleased by Urias’ start, which was offset by another futile offensive performance. “That’s a big positive for tonight. The swing-and-miss, command of his pitches, and to give us what he gave us, was great,” Roberts said.
“He did everything and more than we needed to win a game. To rise to the occasion was special.” For as much as the Dodgers carefully brought Urias along in the Minors, he’s faced quiet the gauntlet thus far in the Majors.
His first career start came against the New York Mets at Citi Field, which was followed by facing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Roberts hasn’t expressed any concern over the challenges thrown Urias’ way, pointing to them as valuable learning experiences for the young lefty.
On the season Urias owns a 5.82 ERA, 4.94 WHIP, 1.59 WHIP, 21 strikeouts and seven walks over 17 innings pitched.
