Julio Urías had somewhat of a shaky final tuneup before his Opening Day start and although the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to avoid a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, they settled for a 6-6 tie. Friday’s matchup was the Dodgers’ penultimate Cactus League game.
Urías’ return from the World Baseball Classic got off to a bumpy start as he issued a leadoff walk and allowed a base hit to the next batter. A force out left runners at the corners and the Brewers scored their first run because of Max Muncy’s error.
Urías picked off Sal Frelick after his one-out single in the second inning, stranded a walk in the third inning and benefitted from a double play after a base hit in the fourth.
He ran into more trouble in the fifth inning as Josh VanMeeter and Mike Brosseau connected on back-to-back home runs to tie the game. Victor Caratini’s two-out RBI single put Milwaukee ahead before Urías could get through the inning.
Urías allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks over his five innings of work. Now the left-hander gets an extra day of rest before making his first career Opening Day start.
Alex Vesia was the first reliever to appear out of the bullpen but his afternoon was brief. Vesia allowed the first two batters faced to reach safely before being replaced by Caleb Ferguson with one out in the sixth inning.
The Brewers scored two runs with Ferguson on the mound, but they were both charged to Vesia.
Evan Phillips and Shelby Miller pitched one scoreless inning each. Mark Washington handled the ninth to keep the game tied.
Dodgers offense
Muncy quickly atoned for his error by slugging a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. The Dodgers then added to their lead in the fourth inning when Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
After the Brewers pulled back ahead with their big fifth inning against Urías, J.D. Martinez tied the game with a solo home run and Trayce Thompson’s RBI double put the Dodgers up in the bottom half.
The seesaw affair continued in the seventh inning with Steven Duggar’s sacrifice fly tying the game.
Mookie Betts went 0-for-2 in his first Cactus League game since returning from the WBC. Betts played in a B game on a backfield at Camelback Ranch on Thursday.
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
