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    Dodgers heat up, beat Diamondbacks in season opener
    • March 31, 2023

    Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. Urias allowed two runs in six innings in an 8-2 victory. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers second baseman Miguel Vargas forces out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker at second base and throws to first to complete a double play on Evan Longoria (not pictured) during the second inning of their season opener on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias flips the ball after giving up a run during the second inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias looks on after giving up a run during the second inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Will Smith runs after hitting a double during the second inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws to the plate during the third inning of their season opener against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits a two-run single during the third inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits a two-run single during the third inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. Smith had three hits and four RBIs in the 8-2 win. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Will Smith runs to first after hitting a two-run single during the third inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas scores on a two-run single by Will Smith (not pictured) during the third inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas reacts after scoring on a Will Smith two-run single during the third inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas, right, is greeted by teammate James Outman after they both scored on a single by Will Smith (not pictured) during the third inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers great Sandy Koufax, right, looks on from the stands during the third inning of the team’s season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman singles during the fifth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts reacts after teammate Freddie Freeman (not pictured) advanced him to third base with a single during the fifth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ David Peralta, center, high-fives teammate Mookie Betts, left, after Betts scored on a Will Smith (not pictured) single during the fifth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ J.D Martinez runs to first after hitting an RBI single during the fifth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez points to the sky after his RBI single during the fifth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ James Outman slaps hands with third base coach Dino Ebel after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ James Outman smiles as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ James Outman, center, high-fives Manager Dave Roberts after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ James Outman hits a double during the eighth inning of their season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers fans look on prior to the team’s Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Former Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser, left, and Eric Gagne stand on the field before throwing ceremonial first pitches ahead of the team’s Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Former Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser, left, Eric Gagne, center, and Fernando Valenzuela throw out the ceremonial first pitches prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Former Dodgers Cy Young Award winners Orel Hershiser, left, Eric Gagne, center, and Fernando Valenzuela throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Former Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia, left, greets former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela prior to Valenzuela throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    From left, Rick Dempsey, Orel Hershiser, current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Eric Gagne, Fernando Valenzuela and Mike Scioscia pose together after taking part in ceremonial first pitches prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman high-fives teammates during introductions prior to their Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia (51) waves to the crowd during introductions prior to their Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts fist-bumps teammates during introductions prior to their Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    A fan documents the moment with their cell phone during introductions prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Dodgers outfielder David Peralta (6) high-fives teammates during introductions prior to their Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Injured Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux stands on crutches while talking to teammate Chris Taylor, right, during introductions prior to their Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts waves to fans prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Manager Dave Roberts stand on the field prior to the Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Fireworks are shot off prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    A young Clayton Kershaw fan stays warm prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Caleb, left, and Tim Hardy of Orange County wearing their Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax jerseys wait for the tarp to be removed prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    People make their way through Dodger Stadium prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Twelve-year-old Ryan Weaver of Simi Valley poses for a picture with the 2020 World Championship ring prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    A young Dodgers fan takes a look around prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attends the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Douglas Martir, of Banning, visits with Marco Juarez, of East L.A., to check out his jacket of Dodgers souvenir buttons prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    People check out Marco Juarez’s jacket of Dodgers souvenir buttons prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Nadine Torres, of Fontana, is ready for the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    The tarp is put back on the field as rain begins to fall prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    A fan is tackled by security after running on the field during the Dodgers’ season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    The Dodgers grounds crew works to keep the field dry prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    A woman wearing a rain poncho braves the rain prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, left, works on his fielding as the grounds crew takes the tarp off the field prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    Los Angeles Dodgers grounds crew take the tarp off the field prior to a Opening Day baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Fans get ready prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    People make their way through Dodger Stadium prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    People make their way through Dodger Stadium prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    A couple arrives prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

    Dodgers fans eat before the rain comes prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

    A lone fan braves the rain and cold prior to the Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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    LOS ANGELES — They went with a cold open.

    A rare night start, atmospheric rivers and whatnot combined to make this the chilliest Opening Day in recent memory. The announced game-time temperature of 54 degrees was the coldest (by eight degrees) for a Dodgers home opener in the past 25 years.

    But Will Smith kept the home fires burning, driving in four runs – including the Dodgers’ first three of the season – before his teammates warmed up and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-2, on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

    Rookie James Outman also hit a two-run home run as the Dodgers won for the 12th time in their past 15 season openers.

    “That’s why I feel confident with Will hitting where he does. There’s bat-to-ball. There’s slug in there. He knows how to drive in a run,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Smith, who has replaced Trea Turner (a 100-RBI man last year) as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup.

    “He understands his main job is to be a servant to the pitchers – which he does a very good job of that. But the bat plays. He’s one of the top few hitting catchers in baseball. To be able to plug him in at the top of our lineup says something about the player.”

    The Dodgers spotted the Diamondbacks a 2-0 headstart as Julio Urias gave up three hits and hit a batter in the first six he faced.

    Nick Ahmed led off the second inning with a double and should have taken a picture of second base to show his teammates. No other Diamondback got there safely the rest of the night against Urias or three relievers (Phil Bickford, Shelby Miller and Yency Almonte).

    “I made a couple adjustments. I felt like myself a little bit more after those first couple innings,” Urias said through an interpreter. “The first two innings, I was cutting the fastball a little too much. I was able to make the adjustments and pitched better over the last few innings.”

    Urias retired 13 of 15 after Ahmed’s double. The only baserunners came on an error by shortstop Miguel Rojas in the second inning – a double play followed on the next batter – and a single by Ketel Marte in the sixth. Marte was thrown out by Mookie Betts when he tried to stretch it into a double.

    “I think he just synced up his body a little bit,” Smith said of Urias. “His stuff just seemed a little crisper. He got more comfortable out there.”

    Smith had a double in his first at-bat but didn’t start chipping away at the Diamondbacks’ lead until the third inning. Outman led off with a walk and went to third when Rojas punched a ground-rule double down the right field line.

    Betts and Freddie Freeman couldn’t advance the runners but Smith drove them both in with a two-out, two-strike single to right field.

    “Those two-out hits, he’s really close to getting out of it with a zero,” Smith said. “Those really kill you as a pitcher.”

    In the fifth, Betts walked and Freeman singled to put runners at the corners for Smith. This time, he parachuted a 60.8 mph bloop single into right field, driving in the go-ahead run. J.D. Martinez and David Peralta added RBI singles as the Dodgers drove Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen from the game.

    Miguel Vargas led off the sixth with his second walk of the game – a throwback to the early days of spring when Vargas wasn’t allowed to swing the bat in games (due to a hairline fracture in his pinkie) and yet was walked repeatedly.

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    Outman followed and worked the count full against Diamondbacks reliever Cole Sulser then drove a fastball over the wall in left-center field. Outman homered in his first major-league game at Coors Field last year and added a home run in his first game at Dodger Stadium (his big-league cameo last year was all on the road).

    “Definitely at the beginning,” Outman said when asked if he had any nerves on his first Opening Day in the big leagues. “I couldn’t stand still when they were doing all the announcements (pre-game introductions). But once the game started, I settled in.”

    Outman reached base for a third time on a leadoff single in the eighth and scored his third run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Smith.

    The first game under the new pitch clock rules came in at 2 hours, 35 minutes – despite featuring 10 runs on 16 combined hits with three mid-inning pitching changes and a long conference between home plate umpire Marvin Hudson and Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvollo after Hudson assessed a Diamondbacks reliever with a quick-pitch violation.

    “It’s great,” Roberts said of the new pace-of-play rules. “That was front of mind actually. Looking at the game and, man, we played 2:35 tonight. Last year it was probably 3:35.”

    TIE GAME! @will_smith30 knocks in a pair with a single, 2-2. pic.twitter.com/oBd7uh5i5C

    — SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 31, 2023

    First RBI as a Dodger for @JDMartinez28. pic.twitter.com/ovCOcRpCwS

    — SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 31, 2023

    When will they learn.

    You don’t run on Mookie. pic.twitter.com/COsxJSuoNL

    — SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 31, 2023

    JAMES OUTMAN ! pic.twitter.com/zbTO1fJZPK

    — SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 31, 2023

    ​ Orange County Register 

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