The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped their three-game losing streak Sunday by shutting out the Cincinnati Reds, 4-0. The shut out was the Dodgers’ 11th of the season, which ties the Chicago Cubs for most in the Majors this season.
Julio Urias put together one of the best outings of the year for Los Angeles as he went six scoreless innings while surrendering only six hits and striking out six with no walks. All of the hits Urias allowed were singles.
At one point he retired 10 consecutive batters. The win was Urias’ third straight after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 8 and then picking up the victory in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 13.
Urias’ performance on Sunday was particularly impressive as it came against a Reds team that boasts the second-best record in the Majors since the All-Star break.
The 20-year-old did not allow a runner to advance past first base until the sixth inning. Reds manager Bryan Price praised the young lefty for keeping his team at bay despite loading the lineup with right-handed hitters, via ESPN:
“He was better than I expected,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He got the breaking ball over early. I stacked the lineup with right-handers and he was able to get it in on them. We didn’t square a lot of balls today.”
Urias received offensive support from the get-go as Chase Utley homered to right to open off the game. It was Utley’s third home run on the road trip, with the other two coming against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers have handled Urias both with care and in a hybrid role. He began the season as a starting pitcher, but was recently shift to a hybrid role as a starter and reliever with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
While Urias has also pitched out of the bullpen for the Dodgers, injuries have forced him into the starting rotation on multiple occasions. During the month of August, Urias has notched three wins in 16.1 innings of work, allowing just four runs and collecting 14 strikeouts.
