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Julio Urías returns to form in Dodgers’ win over Pirates

July 7, 2023

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches the flight of his two-run home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run as Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes watches during the first inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, celebrates with teammate Mookie Betts after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, is congratulated by Mookie Betts, center, after hitting a two-run home run as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Delay stands by during the first inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, center, is congratulated by teammate Mookie Betts, left, after hitting a two-run home run as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Delay stands by during the first inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts can’t reach a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Connor Joe during the second inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Connor Joe, left, and Jack Suwinski congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Nick Gonzales during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. Urias allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in a 5-2 win. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas slides into second base safely after hitting a double as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Rodolfo Castro waits on a throw during the fifth inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas reacts after hitting a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, center, runs to first base as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Delay, left, picks up the ball as it rolls foul while starting pitcher Johan Oviedo watches during the fifth inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman slides to catch a foul ball hit by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Carlos Santana for the final out of the top of the sixth inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman loses his helmet as he runs to second base for a double during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman slides safely into second base for a double during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a two-run home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, is congratulated by Freddie Freeman after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Dodgers relief pitcher Nick Robertson throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Andy Haines, center, reacts to a called third strike from the home plate umpire during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Angel Perdomo throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, steals second base as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Nick Gonzales takes a late throw during the seventh inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol celebrates after pitching a scoreless eighth inning in their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Henry Davis was thrown out at first base during the ninth inning on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning of their 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia, center, celebrates after striking out the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Carlos Santana, right, for the final out of their 5-2 victory on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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LOS ANGELES ― The time Julio Urías spent rehabbing a strained left hamstring was an eventful one for the Dodgers’ pitching staff.

Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan were thrust into the rotation from the minor leagues. Clayton Kershaw hurt his shoulder. Daniel Hudson returned from one knee injury and was potentially lost for the season with another.

Against this backdrop, Urías’ return could not come soon enough, but he was victimized by a series of bloop hits and shoddy defensive plays on Saturday in Kansas City and the Dodgers lost.

The Dodgers’ defense did not always play to Urías’ favor in a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night. It scarcely mattered. Urías resembled the pitcher who finished in the top 10 of the National League Cy Young Award voting each of the last two seasons in front of an announced crowd of 42,036 at Dodger Stadium.

After allowing a two-run “double” to Nick Gonzales in the second inning – Dodgers left fielder David Peralta charged in, only to watch the ball sail over his head – Urías retired 11 consecutive hitters until issuing a leadoff walk to begin the sixth inning.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was hoping to stretch out Urías to six innings and 90 pitches; Urías met that goal with two pitches to spare. He allowed three hits, two runs, walked one batter and struck out eight – his most in a game since May 2.

After a frustrating couple of months of inactivity, Urías earned the rest he’ll get during the All-Star break. He might need it after putting the team on his back Thursday night.

“It’s really frustrating,” Urías said in Spanish. “Everyone wants to be out here, competing, doing their thing, being able to put their foot in the sand, help the team win.”

The Dodgers (49-38) took three of four games from the Pirates (40-47). Thanks to the Arizona Diamondbacks (50-38) losing their fourth straight game, the Dodgers are now a half-game back of first place in the National League West.

The Dodgers’ offense consisted of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and a well-timed home run by Max Muncy.

Betts (2 for 4) led off the first inning with a double to left field against right-hander Johan Oviedo (3-10). Freeman (3 for 4) followed with his 15th home run of the season.

After Peralta’s gaffe helped tie the score at 2-2 in the second inning, it appeared Urías might be stuck with a no-decision. But a double by Freeman, followed by Muncy’s 20th home run of the season, gave the Dodgers a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning.

Freeman, who knocked in an insurance run in the seventh inning, went 7 for 17 in the series. Betts went 4 for 15 with three walks and a home run. Muncy went 4 for 14 with two homers and two walks.

Each of Muncy’s home runs exited over the center field fence – a positive sign for the struggling slugger.

“It just tells me my hands are doing what they’re supposed to do,” Muncy said. “Even though I pull the ball quite often, my approach is always to the center of the field. It’s just my hands don’t always allow that to happen. Even the first at-bat, I hit a line drive to left field. That just tells me that my swing’s doing what it’s supposed to do. If I just keep trusting that, there’s going to be some results coming.”

Nick Robertson, Brusdar Graterol and Alex Vesia kept Pittsburgh scoreless over the final three innings on a short-handed night for the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Robertson had been recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Graterol was a game-time decision, with prospect Landon Knack ready to take his place on the roster in case a minor shoulder injury sent Graterol to the injured list. Vesia converted his first save of 2023, in only his second opportunity.

The Dodgers had been considering bringing starter Noah Syndergaard off the IL early in case their bullpen needed reinforcements for their two-game series against the Angels. Thanks to Urías’ long start and a clean finish by the bullpen, Roberts said that won’t be necessary.

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Freddie pic.twitter.com/HU82PdIgMQ

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 7, 2023