Urias makes 2017 debut in L.A. win
SAN FRANCISCO — Less than 24 hours after losing to the Giants in 10 innings, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned the tables and managed just their second win in their last nine games in San Francisco.
Run-scoring singles by Andrew Toles and Justin Turner in the 10th inning led the Dodgers to a 5-1 victory Thursday after Los Angeles pitcher Julio Urias made a solid start in his 2017 debut. Urias allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City before the game.
“It was a very good start by Julio, and that was his opening day,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To get Julio back in the rotation is a good thing for us. To have this young kid with such composure is great.”
The 20-year-old Urias, who went 5-2 in four stints with the Dodgers last season, allowed four hits, walked four and struck out four.
“I felt good, I felt confident,” Urias said. “I felt like what I did last year was able to help me build confidence for this year.”
The Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th on two walks and an infield hit. Toles followed with a tiebreaking single, Kike Hernandez had a sacrifice fly and Turner extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI single. Chris Taylor drove in the fifth run with a bases-loaded walk.
Kenley Jansen (1-0) got the win, striking out the side in the ninth inning, as the Dodgers managed a split of the four-game series. The loser was Cory Gearrin (0-1), who walked the only batter he faced leading off the 10th inning.
The Giants scored their only run in the sixth on a walk, a two-base throwing error by Urias on a pickoff attempt and a single by Christian Arroyo that nicked Urias’ glove on its way to center field. That hit knocked Urias out of the game.
“We have to get this offense going,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s a better offense than what we’re showing. We need to find a way to put a few runs on the board.”
Giants starter Matt Moore allowed one run and two hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out eight. The only run he allowed came on a first-inning home run by Corey Seager, who was celebrating his 23rd birthday.
Streaks end — The Giants’ Buster Posey had his 12-game hitting streak end. Posey went 0 for 2, hitting into two double plays, and walked twice. San Francisco’s Eduardo Nunez also snapped a streak — an eighth-inning single ended his run of 19 at-bats without a hit.
Still looking — Six of Moore’s eight strikeouts came on called third strikes, tying him with five other pitchers for the major league high this season.
Birthday bopper — Seager became the fifth major leaguer this season to hit a home run on his birthday. Last season, as a rookie, he went 1 for 4 on his birthday.