The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a daunting stretch for their pitching staff that is without several key contributors, but did receive some reprieve from Julio Urías on Saturday night despite subpar results in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Urías became the latest Dodgers pitcher who was unable to slow Bryce Harper or the Phillies, as he allowed a career-high four home runs over six innings.
“They had a plan of attack and took advantage of all those mistakes. They came in with a good game plan and it was a strange night,” Urías said through an interpreter.
“Giving up that home run in the first inning, 90 miles an hour, and it just kind of snowballed. We made adjustments but they just continued to have offense like the last two nights.”
Urías previous career high was three homers, given up on June 2, 2016, when he was a rookie. Saturday also saw him allow career-worst marks in runs (eight) and extra-base hits (six).
However, the left-hander did manage to take some burden off a fatigued Dodgers bullpen. “It was part of the plan,” Urías said.
“Obviously things didn’t work out on the numbers side, but giving them six innings and making sure I was able to get through that sixth inning was really important. That was one of the highlights of the night.”
Roberts credits Urías
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was confident the team had enough available relief pitchers for Saturday’s game but acknowledged the situation could change in the ensuing games. Thus, getting six innings from Urías not to be overlooked.
“First off, I saw a guy that made some adjustments in his outing. Where we’re at with the ‘pen, just to find a way to get through six innings, I thought was great,” Roberts said.
“Gave up five earned runs, so I thought that was one part of it. I thought the breaking ball just didn’t have the finish that it typically it does. The Harper ball backed up a little bit, the (Kyle) Schwarber homer didn’t have that finish, and it was a curveball down below that (Jean) Segura hit that kind of got out.
“But he competed. It wasn’t his best night, but for him to put up a couple zeros late was big.”
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