The Los Angeles Dodgers took the series opener of their two-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks backed by a strong start from Julio Urías and some clutch hitting in the fifth and ninth inning.
The Dodgers struck first, scoring in the second inning on a double from Kiké Hernandez, who was inserted late into the lineup after J.D. Martinez was scratched with left groin/hamstring tightness.
The score remained 1-0 until the Dodgers broke through in the fifth when Amed Rosario grounded into a force out but reached second on a throwing error from Nick Ahmed. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman both doubled to drive in two more runs, which was followed by a single from Will Smith and a sac fly from Max Muncy, making the score 4-0.
That ended up chasing Diamondbacks’ starter Brandon Bfaadt from the game with just 4.2 innings pitched, giving up six hits and two walks while striking out five.
Urías turned in one of his best outings of the year, but he did receive some help from David Peralta in the fifth inning as the left fielder took away a two-run homer from Carson Kelly. That end up proving to be huge as the D-Backs rallied to cut the lead to two, then one run.
The southpaw who has found limited success this year, pitched six scoreless innings while allowing just three baserunners. He has now turned in scoreless outings in each of his last two appearances, lowering his season ERA to 4.39 in 92.1 innings, including 14 consecutive scoreless frames.
Following Urías, Ryan Braiser pitched a scoreless seventh inning and Alex Veisa started the eighth. Vesia recorded one out, but left with runners at the corners, being replaced by Brusdar Graterol.
The right-hander promptly allowed back-to-back RBI singles, cutting the Dodgers lead to just two runs, but retired the next two hitters to get out of the inning.
The Dodgers added an insurance run in the ninth inning when James Outman walked, stole second and scored on a single from Betts.
Evan Phillips was called on for the save and ran into some trouble, walking a hitter then allowing an RBI triple to cut the lead to two and put the tying run at the plate. That was followed with an RBI single that cut the Dodgers’ lead to one run.
Corbin Carroll then hit a ground ball he believed to be foul, but it ended up being a double play started by Freeman to end the game, 5-4.
Dodgers recalled Victor González
Prior to the game, the Dodgers recalled Victor González from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Bryan Hudson.
González returns for his third stint with the Dodgers where he has pitched to a 2-3 record with a 5.32 ERA IN 23.2 innings with 22 strikeouts.
Hudson pitched two innings in his stint with the Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits on Monday against the San Diego Padres. He has pitched to a 7.94 ERA with four strikeouts in three games for the Dodgers this season.
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