Urías shows ace-level composure in Dodgers' Opening Day victory

by Ron Gutterman

Julio Urías took his place on the hill at Dodger Stadium with applause raining down from the 52,075-person sellout crowd.

Moments prior, that same mound was occupied by Dodger Cy Young Award winners Orel Hershiser, Eric Gagné and Fernando Valenzuela for the ceremonial first pitch.

The greats present during the pregame ceremony only added to the anticipation of the first Opening Day start of the Julio Urías’ career against the National League West rival Diamondbacks.

It took Urías just over an inning to settle into the new season and resemble the 2022 third-place Cy Young Award finisher and the ace he’s expected to be in 2023.

Urías gave up two earned runs on three hits and a hit-by-pitch in his first 1 2/3 innings of work, then smoothed things out to earn the victory in the Dodgers’ 8–2 win against Arizona on Thursday’s Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.

It was the fifth season in a row the Dodgers won in Opening Day.

“I think that’s what it was, he just settled in,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Early on, the fastball just didn’t have that same life. But the thing about Julio is he minimizes damage.”

He gave up just one hit and struck out five batters over his final 4 1/3 innings.

“I felt like myself a little more after those first innings,” Urías said. “I think I was spinning my fastball a little too much, but I made those adjustments and then I was able to feel more successful.”

Urías went six innings, allowed four hits, walked none, struck out six and allowed two earned runs.

Like Urías, it took two frames for the Dodger offense to start rolling. The first rally of the Dodgers’ season was started by rookie center fielder James Outman.

Outman fought an 0–2 count from Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen to draw a walk. Veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas then roped a ground-rule double to right field to put runners on second and third base.

Two batters later, catcher Will Smith — on a 2–2 count with two outs — singled to score both runs and tie the score at two apiece.

“I finally got us on the board. We got pressure on them the whole night, with big hit after big hit,” Smith said. “Those two-out hits just kill the opposing pitcher.”

Smith would repeat his efforts with one out in the fifth inning. Mookie Betts (walk) and Freddie Freeman (single) were at the corners and a Smith 0–2 blooper to shallow right field scored Betts to give LA a 3–2 advantage.

Smith finished the night 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI.

It didn’t take long for Outman to show why he was given a spot on the Opening Day 26-man roster and in the Opening Day starting lineup.

Outman worked a full count against reliever Cole Sulser in the sixth inning and hit a two-run home run. It traveled 390 feet (Statcast) and extended the Dodger lead to 7–2.

It was Outman’s second career home run in just his fifth MLB game, and yet, his even-keeled and quiet nature made him look as composed as he had all spring.

“I was definitely excited (before the game). But being nervous wasn’t going to help me out any,” Outman said. “So you just take the info, run with it, prepare myself and try to view it as objectively as possible because when nerves start taking over, bad things happen sometimes.”

Outman finished the night 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored.

The defensive highlight of the night came in the sixth inning. Urías allowed his first hit in 13 plate appearances to second baseman Ketel Marte, who hit a single to right field.

Marte attempted to stretch the single into a double.

Enter Mookie Betts.

Betts unleashed a two-hopper that landed perfectly at the hands of second baseman Miguel Vargas, who scooped up the ball and applied the tag for the out.

The Dodgers continue their series with the Diamondbacks on Friday, March 31 at 7:10 p.m. PST.

Dustin May is the projected starter for the Dodgers and Merrill Kelly is the presumed starter for Arizona.