Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — It was a return of the bad old days for Julio Urias on Monday night. After enjoying a lot of run support for a change during his little winning streak over the summer, the Dodgers’ offense just couldn’t generate anything against their nemesis Eric Lauer (again) and the Brewers bullpen. Urías gave up just one solo homer in six innings of two-hit ball. Nevertheless, the Brewers hung the L on him for the first time in a while. In the end the game got away from the Dodgers, and the Brewers scored three runs late en route to a 4-0 win at Dodger Stadium in the series opener against Milwaukee.
JT thrown out in second inning
The Brewers sent the notorious Eric Lauer to the mound against the Dodgers, the guy who seems to save his best starts for the Boys in Blue. However, the Dodgers were getting a few papercuts against Lauer in the early going. Justin Turner got a one out single in the second, and then moved into scoring position when Max Muncy drew a walk.
After a Chris Taylor K for the second out of the inning, Gavin Lux banged a single into left field. Third base coach Dino Ebel was feeling a little froggy on Monday night and sent Turner home, challenging the arm of Christian Yelich. It was a gamble that didn’t pay off. Yelich’s throw to the plate was true, and JT was dead to rights at home. That was as close as the team would get to scoring all evening.
Urías homers off Urías
It’s a shame that this loss is going to be hung on Julio Urías. He pitched great all night. But, with the Dodgers stuck in neutral at the plate, one bad pitch did him in this time around. It was infielder Luis Urias who did the damage against El Culichi on Monday. A mid-game replacement for an ailing Mike Brosseau at third, Urias came to bat with two out in the top of the 4th. And Julio got a little sloppy with a 3-2 pitch to Luis. He put a fastball in the middle of the zone, and the Brewer Urías drilled it high and long. It cleared the left centerfield fence and it was 1-0 Brewers.
Lauer still a mystery to LA
Eric Lauer was on the wrong end of a tight game in Milwaukee, but he made sure that that wouldn’t happen in Los Angeles. Apart from the JT play at the plate, the Dodgers had a runners all evening, but just couldn’t get that key hit to score a run (sound familiar?). It was 1-for-5 with RISP on Monday, which isn’t horrible, but when you’ve got a chance against the Brewers, you’ve got to take it. Otherwise, things like this happen. Lauer only went five innings this time, but he gave the Dodgers nothing. Which is what usually happens with Lauer on the mound. In 11 career starts, Lauer is now 7-1 with a 2.37 ERA. Inexplicable as it is, the dude flat-out shoves against the Dodgers. Go figure.
After the game, Max Muncy tipped his hat in the Brewers’ direction. “They are one of the better organizations at kind of looking at data and analyzing data,” he said. “And on top of that, they have really good arms. You can’t take anything from their arms over there, they’re all really good.”
9th inning blows up in Bickford’s face
I like Phil Bickford. He seems like a cool dude. But with all the Dodger arms nearing readiness in their rehabs and with performances like the egg he laid on Monday night in the 9th inning, I’m afraid his days with the Dodgers are numbered. After the great start from Julio Urías, the Dodgers headed into the final frame trailing 1-0. But, Bickford coughed up a three-spot in the inning, and put the game out of reach for the Dodgers. The big hits in the inning were back-to-back doubles from Willie Adames and Christian Yelich and a solo homer from local product Keston Hiura.
Down four runs, the Dodgers went quietly in the ninth, getting only a Gavin Lux single and getting shut out at the Ravine for the first time this year.
Marquee pitching match-up on Tuesday
If you’re a fan of great pitching, you might want to set the DVR for Tuesday at 7:10. Former teammates at St. Mary’s College, Tony Gonsolin and Corbin Burnes will lock horn for the first time in their careers. Both pitchers are having a great year, so get ready for more low scoring and more pressure on the bullpen to hold the score.
Cans of Corn…
- Urías’s ERA drops to 2.36, third in the league behind Gonsolin and Alcantara.
- Brusdar Graterol came back and looked great, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning.
- To make room for Graterol on the roster, Ryan Pepiot was sent back to OKC, at least temporarily.
- The D-backs picked up Reyes Moronta. Adios, amigo.
- Chris Taylor made another great catch in this one, leaning far over the wall to catch a foul fly off the bat of Omar Narvaez.
- Taylor seems lost at the plate right now. 3 K’s in this game.
- A bunch of guys had warning track outs in this game. Just missed four or five homers.
