Julio Urías ended a personal string of three consecutive losses and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their season-best winning streak to five games by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, 13-1, on Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence Urías would correct some of the issues that have been plaguing him of late, and the left-hander got off a strong start by striking out Trea Turner and Bryce Harper in the first inning.
Harper went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his remarkably quick return from Tommy John surgery.
Stellar defensive plays in the second inning by Max Muncy and James Outman aided Urías, who did not allow a hit until Turner drove a solo home run out to center field in the fourth.
That wound up being the only hit Urías allowed, and he issued just one walk while collecting 10 strikeouts over seven innings pitched. Urías’ 10 strikeouts set a season high and are the most by any Dodgers pitcher this year.
It also represented the sixth time in Urías’ career he’s finished with at least 10 strikeouts. He last had done so June 12, 2022, in a road start against the San Francisco Giants.
Betts leads, Dodgers follow
Mookie Betts had a second consecutive three-hit game, which was bested only by Miguel Vargas setting a career high with four.
With the Dodgers already ahead 1-0, Betts prevented them from squandering an opportunity with two runners in scoring position by hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the second. Betts added an RBI single in the fourth inning, playing a part in the Dodgers reversing their struggles against left-handed pitching and chasing Matt Strahm from the game.
Chris Taylor broke it open with a two-run flare double in the bottom of the seventh, and Vargas’ third extra-base hit drove in two more for the Dodgers. Vargas’ three doubles were a career best.
Freddie Freeman added a two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Phillies again turned to position player Kody Clemens to pitch. He allowed a RBI singles to James Outman and Vargas, and walked Austin Barnes with the bases loaded before managing to get the third out.
The Dodgers set a season high with 17 hits.
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