Following Game 5 of the World Series, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked a fairly pedestrian question, to which he gave a relatively predictable answer. Which pitchers were available for Game 6?
He ruled out: Julio Urias, who had thrown 80 pitches just two days earlier; Clayton Kershaw, who had started Game 5; and Walker Buehler, who was scheduled to start a potential Game 7. However, something changed, and that led to the No. 8 moment in the DodgerBlue.com rankings of the best Dodgers plays from the postseason.
Fast-forward from Roberts’ initial remarks, and the Dodgers were mired in a game they didn’t necessarily expect. Not only was it a bullpen game, but it was a low-scoring one thanks to a handful of heroic efforts from unexpected players.
Now, in the top of the seventh inning, with the Dodgers clinging to a one-run lead, things were about to get dicey for Roberts. With Brusdar Graterol on the mound —- one of the few relievers most folks would say they trusted out there —- the Tampa Bay Rays grounded out and lined out before catcher (and No. 9 hitter) Mike Zunino singled.
With left-handed Ji-Man Choi due up, Roberts called for Urias. As expected, the Rays pinch hit for Choi with the right-handed Yandy Diaz.
Swinging strike. Foul ball. Ball. Strike looking. Inning over.
After failing to capitalize on a leadoff double from Will Smith in the bottom of the inning, the Dodgers were facing the most significant moment of the game: the heart of the Rays order was due up. So who did Roberts turn to? Well, Urias of course.
Randy Arozarena? Fly out.
Hunter Renfroe (pinch-hitting for Austin Meadows)? Groundout.
Brandon Lowe? Strikeout.
As if he needed it, the Dodgers gave Urias an extra run of support in the bottom of the eighth on a Mookie Betts home run. Needing only three more outs, Urias continued to shine.
Manuel Margot? Fly out.
Mike Brosseau (hitting for Joey Wendle)? Strikeout.
Willy Adames? Strikeout.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are Wold Series champions.
As Barnes tucked the ball into his back pocket and Urias let out a scream that could only be described as “primal”, one couldn’t help but think about what he had just accomplished.
Just a week after giving the Dodgers one of the greatest pitching performances in franchise history with three perfect innings to close out Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Urias had done it again — and on short rest, no less.
The Dodgers had been there so many times before, it feels like, and blown it. To have someone close out the two biggest wins in 32 years with such ease and calm and confidence? It was unbelievable. Literally, unbelievable.
Best Dodgers moments of 2020 postseason
No. 9: Clayton Kershaw steps off mound
No. 10: 11-run first inning in Game 3 of NLCS
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