Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a two-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners behind another dominant start from Julio Urias, who allowed just one run on two hits in seven innings of work.
“I’m very proud to go through the lineup three times, to have that focus, to have that ability, to kind of learn through the process, trying to learn through the hitters,” Urias said of the length he provided in Wednesday’s outing.
“To get through that third time around is something I’m obviously very happy about. I also have great teammates around me to learn from. Buehler, Kershaw, Bauer, we can pick each other’s brains, go through the hitters a third time.”
Urias previously had his way with the Mariners at T-Mobile Park in April, tossing seven shutout innings and notching a career-high 11 strikeouts. He has now logged at least seven innings pitched in four of eight starts this season.
Entering the year, Urias had never gone longer than 6.1 innings in a game — a feat he accomplished twice. “It feels good,” he said of his ability to consistently pitch into the seventh inning.
“It’s part of the preparation to come out here and do exactly what I did. It was something I focused on all week.”
Urias’ focus against the Mariners was attacking the strike zone early, which he did by throwing first-pitch strikes to 18 of 24 batters. “You try to attack,” Urias said of his strategy.
“Like I said before, I have three great pitchers behind me and that’s what they do well. They attack hitters, they get ahead, and that’s what I was focused on trying to do myself. Just trying to get ahead, trying to stay ahead and doing exactly what I did tonight.”
Urias pleased with progression of slurve, changeup
While Urias had all of his pitches working against the Mariners, he especially found success when throwing his slurve and changeup. “I feel really confident about where they’re going and coming from,” Urias said of his offspeed pitches.
“From last start to this start, didn’t have the same affect. I also like how they’re developing from start to start, just being able to make adjustments and progress along with those pitches.”
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