Mookie Betts got the Los Angeles Dodgers going early and Julio Urias helped his cause in a rain-shortened 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a series sweep at PNC Park. Despite losing consecutive games to the Atlanta Braves, the Dodgers went 4-2 on their road trip.
Manager Dave Roberts recently predicted Betts would begin to hit home runs and with more slug, which came on a solo shot to open the game. It was Betts’ 25th career leadoff homer.
After the Pirates tied the game in the bottom of the second, the Dodgers responded the next inning to take a decided lead.
They loaded the bases on Justin Turner getting hit by a pitch, Cody Bellinger’s single, and Pirates starter Mitch Keller then plunking Matt Beaty. Zach McKinstry’s sacrifice fly broke the 1-1 tie, and after Austin Barnes was intentionally walked to load the bases, Urias delivered a two-run single.
It marked a fifth consecutive start in which Urias recorded a hit or RBI.
Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer got the Pirates back within a run in the bottom of the third inning, and the game remained that way until Zach McKinstry provided some insurance with an RBI single in the seventh.
Turner tacked on another run in the eighth inning and the Dodgers threatened for more but the game went into a rain delay before being deemed final more than one hour later.
Dodgers back Urias
Urias wasn’t overly sharp as he allowed the two runs and six hits over six innings. He struck out five and was aided by the Dodgers playing strong defense behind him.
One such instance saw Betts turn a double play with a catch in right field and strike to home plate to nab Erik Gonzalez on his attempt to tag.
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