Julio Urías opened his 2021 campaign on April 4 with a one-run, seven-innings gem at Coors Field, arguably the best start of his career. On Tuesday at T-Mobile Park, barely three starts later, Urías managed to surpass himself.
Facing the Mariners, Urías was in top form, striking out 11 batters in his career while working seven scoreless frames in a 1-0 Dodgers victory. It was the most strikeouts by a Dodgers-starter to date this season, surpassing his previous personal high of nine, set on April 18, 2019 in Milwaukee. Those seven innings balanced his season debut for the longest appearance in his career.
An exceptionally sharp Urías caused a season-high 17 swings and misses, nine of which came on his overwhelming curveball, before coming out with 88 throws (68 strokes). He allowed only two baserunners: a walk to Kyle Lewis, the second batter he faced, and an infield single by Mitch Haniger in the third. With a run-out speed of 53.9 mph, Haniger’s single was Urías’s weakest ball and had an expected batting average of 0.060.
The Dodgers needed every bit of that effort as their offense’s recent slump spread into yet another game. They were able to score only one run on two basehits and four walks. In its last four games, Los Angeles has scored a total of eight runs.