After dropping the first game of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered Tuesday’s contest relying on a 19-year-old starting pitcher. In only the third start of his career, Julio Urias made his Dodger Stadium debut.
Urias retired DJ LeMahieu on a lineout to center field, but then found himself in early trouble. Ryan Raburn pulled a double into left and Nolan Arenado drew a walk after working a full count.
However, Urias managed to work himself out of trouble behind an impressive fastball as Carlos Gonzalez and Trevor Story both struck out on high four-seamers. Eddie Butler, another young pitcher in his own right, got off to a rocky start.
He walked Chase Utley and Corey Seager to put two on with none out in the bottom of the first. Then Justin Turner, who entered a career 8-for-11 against Butler, clubbed a three-run homer to the left field pavilion.
The home run was Turner’s fourth of the season and first at Dodger Stadium. Urias retired the Rockies in order in the second inning, and picked up his third strikeout of the game to end the frame. Urias to that point had thrown 41 of his allotted 80-90 pitches.
A Yasmani Grandal leadoff single in the bottom of the second was erased immediately after as Urias’ sacrifice bunt attempt went in the direction of Arenado, who started a double play. Utley then went down swinging for his seventh strikeout in last 14 at-bats.
LeMahieu singled with one out in the third inning and soon after stole second base. Arenado got the Rockies on the board wit a drive to left field that Howie Kendrick had trouble with, resulting in an RBI double.
Urias limited the damage to just one run as he collected his second strikeout of the game against Gonzalez to escape with a 3-1 lead.
CONTINUE READING: Urias pushes the limit in Dodger Stadium debut
