Urías collects a building block for the stretch run

Apr 10, 2024

Cary Osborne

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by Cary Osborne

Regardless of the A’s record or a lineup that featured three rookies and another three players in their second year, this was an important start for Julio Urías — as every one will be for the remainder of the season.

The Cy Young Award finalist has chased consistency, dealt with a hamstring injury and most recently dealt with an issue with his left index finger this year.

Thursday against the A’s was another reset for a pitcher who has been one of the best in the game over the previous two seasons.

Urías didn’t overwhelm A’s hitters — if swing-and-miss (five out of 68 total pitches) is a gauge for that. He didn’t befuddle them — if called strikes (10) is a measure.

But he wiggled out of a first-inning jam — a frame that has been a pain point for him all season. He collected outs, limited baserunners to two in his final four innings of work.

And helped pave the road for an 8–2 Dodger win on Thursday, closing out a three-game sweep of Oakland and a nine-game homestand.

“This is who he is,” said manager Dave Roberts. “If we can build on this on Monday (his next start), we’re in a good spot.”

Urías wasn’t going to go long in this game. Roberts talked about a three-to-five-inning target before the game.

The Dodger left-hander went five, allowing three hits, one walk, striking out five and shutting the A’s out over the stretch.

The aforementioned finger issue, the addition of Lance Lynn to the rotation and a day off gave Urías seven days between starts.

It appeared early that his first-inning issues (19 earned runs in the first inning in 15 starts coming in) would again play into his start, but he induced a double-play off the bat of Oakland All-Star Brent Rooker to escape.

Urías handed the ball to rookie Emmet Sheehan, who pitched the final four frames and earned a save in his first Major League relief appearance.

“There’s been a lot of inconsistency throughout the year, but I feel like I’m feeling myself on the mound, feel like I’m stronger on the mound,” Urías said.

Urías’ season has somewhat mirrored Dodger starting pitching’s overall inconsistencies in what has been an unusual season for what has annually been one of the top staffs in baseball.

But there is a lot in his season that has displayed the kind of effective and at times dominant pitcher he earned the reputation of being.

This was his 10th start this season allowing two runs or fewer and fifth with one run or fewer. On the other hand, there are five starts where he has allowed at least five earned runs.

“He’s huge for us. Hopefully he can build off (today),” said first baseman Freddie Freeman. “We need Julio.”

Freeman went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a solo home run in the game. He’s up to 40 doubles, 22 home runs and 76 RBI. He’s batting .341/.418/.598/1.016.

Freeman hit 21 homers, had 47 doubles and slugged .511 last season.

“I just want to be a good hitter. Overall, just complete hitter — that’s what I go for,” Freeman said. “If it’s doubles, home runs, it’s a byproduct of whatever it is. There is no explanation. I’m just trying to get hits.”

He is 31-for-62, hitting .500/.557/.903/1.460 with five home runs, eight doubles, 22 runs scored and 13 RBI over his last 15 games.

The Dodgers (62–45) lead the second-place Giants by 2 ½ games.

The Dodgers begin a four-game series with the Padres on Friday at 6:40 p.m.