The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a series victory over the Cincinnati Reds by defeating them 5-2 win on Saturday night to also extend their winning streak to five games.
The two teams were engaged in a pitcher’s duel for the first five innings as Julio Urías and Reds rookie Hunter Greene matched scoreless innings.
Urías finished his day allowing no runs on only one hit through five innings, while adding five strikeouts and one walk before he was removed from the game. Greene also threw five scoreless, but he ran into trouble in the sixth inning that earned him the loss.
Urías fastball velocity averaged 92-93 mph, which was still down from last season, but a tick above his 2022 debut. More encouraging was he had improved command, which Urías said he was focused on rather than velocity after struggling against the Colorado Rockies.
Urías' night is done: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. pic.twitter.com/jppiqf9b7u
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 17, 2022
Deuces. pic.twitter.com/4VyVVOx84X
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 17, 2022
💪 #AlwaysLA pic.twitter.com/52Nh7mWYB4
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 17, 2022
Victory formation! pic.twitter.com/zkdDnDcbfy
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 17, 2022
Austin Barnes led off the bottom of the sixth with a single before Trea Turner smacked a fastball into the left field pavilions with a 103.8 mph exit velocity. For Turner, it was his first homer of the season.
Cody Bellinger and Turner each had two hits off the Reds’ impressive rookie.
Chris Taylor added a two-run single against Buck Farmer to give L.A. a 4-0 lead before the Reds could get through the sixth inning.
Freddie Freeman drove in the Dodgers’ final run of the game with a sacrifice fly that allowed Gavin Lux to score. The RBI was Freeman’s first with the Dodgers.
Dodgers bullpen effective following Urías
Evan Phillips, David Price and Mitch White combined to pitch four innings out of the bullpen following Urías’ departure. White was the only pitcher to allow a run in the game as he gave up two in 1.1 innings.
The Reds started the ninth inning with a leadoff walk and base hit of White with both baserunners coming around to score. Daniel Hudson was called on to get the final two outs in the inning, and he did that while collecting a strikeout to record the save.
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