Sports
Decision to start Julio Urías in the seventh misfires in Dodgers’ loss to Pirates
Last week, Dave Roberts didn’t give Julio Urías the chance to pitch in the seventh.
Facing a similar situation on Monday night, the Dodgers manager made a different decision.
With his team trailing the Pittsburgh Pirates by one in the bottom of the seventh, Roberts sent Urías out to the mound to face No. 9 hitter Michael Perez.
One misplaced fastball later, it immediately backfired, with Perez hitting a solo home run that helped the Pirates pull away in a 5-1 defeat of the Dodgers at PNC Park.
There were plenty of causes for the Dodgers’ loss Monday, which ended the team’s six-game winning streak.
Their bullpen gave up three runs in two innings. Their lineup suffered one of its quietest nights all year, matching its season-low run total on just four hits. And they were robbed of a couple potential extra-base hits by diving catches from Pirates outfielders.
“I thought we still stayed in the strike zone, I thought we hit some balls well,” Roberts said after his team consistently made hard contact yet went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine men on base. “We just had nothing to show for it.”
The decision to send Urías back to the mound in the seventh, however, became the latest development in the team’s ever-evolving usage of the 25-year-old left-hander, standing in stark contrast to the way his outing last week ended.
That night, Urías had thrown six scoreless innings on just 65 pitches against the San Francisco Giants yet was lifted at the start of the seventh.
Roberts later cited the quality of the Giants’ contact and the lingering effects of a lockout-shortened spring as factors in the decision.
“I’d rather err more on the cautious side than the aggressive side,” Roberts said that night.
Monday night in Pittsburgh began with different circumstances, after Roberts said pregame he planned to give Urías more leash.
“I’ve been very methodical in how we’ve managed him,” Roberts said. “I expect him tonight to go deeper in the game.”
When the situation arose at the start of the seventh, Roberts followed through.
Urías had given up 10 hits (just the second time in his career an opponent had reached double-digit hits against him) and had a higher pitch count of 79.
But he had also been able to limit damage, highlighted by a two-on, no-out jam in the sixth he escaped with three straight outs, including a couple strikeouts that featured his first two 95-mph fastballs of the season.
“I thought he pitched well,” Roberts said. “The score dictated that he should keep going.”
Roberts liked Urías’ matchup against the left-handed hitting Perez (who was hitless in two at-bats with a strikeout) to lead off the seventh, then planned to go to the bullpen.
But in a 1-and-1 count, Urías missed his location with a fastball right down the middle. Perez launched it for a solo home run to center that doubled the Pirates’ lead to 2-0. The Dodgers (19-8) never threatened again.
“Just a misfire,” Urías said through an interpreter. “One of those things where you can’t take it back.”
Though Roberts said the outcome won’t dictate future decisions on Urías’ usage — “I know he’s gonna want that fastball back from Perez,” Roberts said, “but I thought he pitched a nice ballgame” — the left-hander still felt like he’d missed an opportunity to punctuate his first outing this season to reach the seventh inning.
“I wanted to go out there [in the seventh], like I said last week, and wanted to compete in that inning,” Urías said through an interpreter. “Not being able to execute in that seventh inning was disappointing.”
The rest of the team faltered in critical moments too.
The Dodgers hit plenty of balls hard against Pirates starter José Quintana — they had eight hard hit balls of at least 95 mph off the left-hander, but got only one to drop for a hit — but failed to score against him in six innings.
By the time Edwin Ríos put the Dodgers on the board with a pinch-hit home run in the ninth, the Pirates (12-16) had already pulled away, scoring another run in the seventh against reliever Phil Bickford and adding two more in the eighth on a Jack Suwinski home run off Robbie Erlin.
“It’s baseball,” Roberts said. “They outhit us. They outpitched [us] tonight. And they won the ballgame.”
Short hops
Chris Taylor left Monday’s game with a left knee bone bruise after fouling a ball off his leg. X-rays revealed no fracture. He is day to day … Pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot will likely start Wednesday’s series finale, though that decision isn’t official. Pepiot, who has a 2.05 ERA in triple A this year, joined the team on the taxi squad Monday.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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NBA veteran and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley has made his name known over the past few days with his NBA takes while joining ESPN’s popular sports debate show, “First Take”.
Beverley first defended Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden as he said the Sixers have got to give him the supermax in order to keep him. He also had a very hot take on Phoenix Suns, and future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul.
After the Suns were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals in Game 7, there were a lot of takes going around about the former defending Western Conference champions. Beverley said that Paul can’t defend Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic and that Phoenix should have benched him rather than DeAndre Ayton.
It was a pretty wild take and it sent shockwaves throughout the league. Former NBA champion Matt Barnes came after Beverley for his take and now, Sixers guard Danny Green had something to say to Beverley:
People target you to too, Pat Bev. You ain’t playing no (expletive) defense out there. You ain’t stopping Luka. It’s time and time again I’ve seen Luka call your ass little. He’s too (expletive) small and right at you every chance he got. When you play Luka, you’re a cone too. How would you like that?
Please be advised that the clip below contains language that some might consider offensive.
Green is right. There is no reason for Beverley to go at Paul the way he did and at that point, he should give respect where it’s due.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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Klay Thompson fiddled with his belt. Cleared his throat. Rested his head in his right hand as he recited the question back: What is the key to guarding Luka Doncic? “Um,” the Golden State Warriors star said after a 15-second pause. “I would say playing your hardest and trusting your teammates are the two keys.”
Source: Callie Caplan @ Dallas Morning News
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Three point shooting in the playoffs:
Steph Curry– 35.9%
Luka Doncic- 34.7%
Jimmy Butler- 34.8%
Volumes are clearly different, but still hilarious lol – 1:29 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Is Luka Doncic unguardable?
The Suns and the Jazz probably think so.
Experts do, too.
Analyzing how the Warriors’ defense now faces a pick-your-poison test vs. the Mavs’ star with the NBA Finals on the line: dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 11:34 AM
GeorgeZakkas @ZakkasGeorge
Vasilije #Micic: “My favorite EuroLeague player of all time was Dejan Bodiroga, Dimitris Diamantidis and I can honestly say Luka Doncic”. (via @EuroLeague) #F4GLORY pic.twitter.com/XPFyRJawTz – 11:22 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Over each player’s first 23 playoff games,
Luka Doncic is averaging:
* more assists than Steph Curry, Walt Frazier or Dame Lillard
* more rebounds than Giannis, Kevin Durant, or LeBron
* more 3PT’s than Ray Allen, Trae Young, Klay Thompson or Kyrie Irving
https://t.co/oTZT6yXZ82 pic.twitter.com/4FCEf8ovid – 9:27 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Most 40-point playoff games over the past three years:
1 .Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7
2. Luka Doncic: 6
3. Jimmy Butler: 5 – 9:22 AM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @Callie Caplan:
Is Luka Doncic unguardable? Warriors’ defense faces pick-your-poison test vs. Mavs’ star dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 9:15 AM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Pablo Laso on Luka Doncic:
“Probably the best thing that he has as a person and as a player is that he’s able to adjust to any situation. That’s something you have as a person. And Luka has it.” – 8:30 AM
Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
Giannis, Luka and Tatum have been terrific in the 2022 Playoffs
But no one has played better than Jimmy Butler – 11:23 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
What’s the Warriors’ plan to slow down Luka Doncic? You’ll just have to wait and see.
https://t.co/lmDX3aFrTC pic.twitter.com/njmeG7xX5K – 8:57 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Good thing for the Kings there’s no Luka to pass on in this draft. – 8:21 PM
Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
I wrote on the Luka Doncic-Stephen Curry dynamic, which won’t just define the Western Conference finals — it could define the NBA for years to come: sfchronicle.com/sports/warrior… – 8:03 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Celtics in 6.
Mavs in 7.
I don’t think Miami has enough firepower and I’m firmly in the ‘this is a Luka moment’ camp.
But…
Both Heat and Warriors win Game 1.
I think Celtics-Bucks was the NBA Finals. – 7:36 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic was so relaxed today. Almost chatty with reporters. His comfort level on the big stage certainly is evident on the court. Today it was evident off the court. – 6:56 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
“We weren’t fat shaming because when he was at his best, which we have seen in these playoffs, no one can touch him.”
TNT’s Reggie Miller says Jason Kidd thanked him for calling out Luka Doncic’s weight dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 6:51 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @Callie Caplan:
TNT’s Reggie Miller says Jason Kidd thanked him for calling out Luka Doncic’s weight dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 6:33 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
We already knew Draymond Green was a big Doncic fan. The feeling is mutual. pic.twitter.com/wBHfOX3q6e – 6:12 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
After blowing out the Suns in Game 7, Luka Doncic and the Mavs will meet the Warriors in the Western Conference finals. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/15/mav… – 6:00 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Luka Doncic is in rare playoff company, but his supporting cast might separate him from other high-usage stars
cbssports.com/nba/news/luka-… – 5:52 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic: “Obviously, Klay and Steph are incredible offensive guys, but I think the key to the Warriors’ team is Draymond. He’s just unbelievable. I really respect him and everything he does.”
That includes trash talk. “That’s the fun of the game. I love that part.” – 5:51 PM
Ryan McDonald @ryanwmcdonald
Utah basketball officially announces the signing of Luka Tarlac. A thing that may be out there but I missed when he committed: His dad Dragan was drafted by the Bulls with the 31st pick in 1995. He finally joined them in 2000 and played in 43 games as they went a spicy 15-67 – 5:45 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Luka Doncic soundbites on the Warriors today. He talked style of play, Draymond Green and the Chase Center crowd: “This a loud gym, man. I’m not lying.” pic.twitter.com/XKXaEEiGGK – 5:38 PM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
The Mavericks have arrived in SF for their first conference finals practice. Boban and Luka going 1 on 1 on the Chase Center floor. pic.twitter.com/D1d0r2FLvZ – 5:25 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic: “I’m living my best life right now.” pic.twitter.com/mgHc9xa1nu – 5:08 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Luka speaks pic.twitter.com/cBoNFV4wvt – 5:02 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Klay Thompson’s keys to defending Luka Doncic and the Mavericks are pretty simple. pic.twitter.com/8RiGdpm8UC – 4:34 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
“Playing your hardest and trusting your teammates,” Warriors forward Klay Thompson said on what is the keys to guarding Luke Doncic. – 4:33 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Warriors’ Kevon Looney on Luka Doncic-James Harden comparisons after guarding Harden in past series: “Luka’s able to post up pretty much anybody when he gets his shoulder on you. … The biggest difference is the size. Luka’s really strong. That kind of surprised me this year.” – 4:21 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New Mismatch with @Chris Vernon previewing the conference finals, the potential for zone defense by Miami, Bam’s importance, Celtics matchups, who defends Luka, Warriors upside, plus a little semifinals debrief and draft lottery talk. open.spotify.com/episode/7kcZuT… – 4:10 PM
Michael Cunningham @MCunninghamAJC
Mavs vs. Warriors in West final is proxy for Luka vs. Trae ajc.com/sports/mike-ch… – 3:39 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
🏀 Previewing Heat-Celtics
🏀 What’s next for the Suns?
🏀 Luka will continue to go off against the Warriors
#TheMismatch: open.spotify.com/episode/7kcZuT… – 3:25 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Klay/Poole pic.twitter.com/NNPTVkPAd9 – 3:13 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Luka-Steph. Jalen-Klay. Dinwiddie-Poole. Those are the kind of matchups that most matter, but these WCF also match the NBA’s two best media relations staffs, @Golden State Warriors PR and @Dallas Mavericks PR. Lucky reporters. – 2:45 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
Top 25 NBA Player Power Rankings updated heading into the conference finals:
10. Al Horford
9. Jordan Poole
8. Klay Thompson
7. Bam Adebayo
6. Jalen Brunson
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Full top 25 from @fromal09 on @Sportscasting19: https://t.co/mgWpa49wAd pic.twitter.com/eMAk3DwFZM – 10:51 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Q&A with Warriors GM Bob Myers on a number of topics: leaning on Steph, Klay & Draymond while developing young talent, Jordan Poole’s growth, James Wiseman’s rehab, why the team did not get a center before trade deadline & more https://t.co/iF0hWTMTay pic.twitter.com/1HMXP6lYGl – 12:12 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
The Splash Brothers have made the exact same amount of threes this playoffs.
42 — Steph
42 — Klay
(Submitted by @klaymuse) pic.twitter.com/FXgFnQpSkx – 7:02 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
While Game 6 Klay handled the scoring, Kevon Looney dominated the glass against the Grizzlies with the most rebounds from a member of the Warriors in a playoff game since 1987. warriorswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/14/war… – 6:00 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
After Game 6 Klay arrived to help the Warriors advance to the Western Conference Finals by eliminating the Grizzlies, NBA Twitter exploded with reactions. warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-twit… – 10:00 PM
Mark Haynes @markhaynesnba
Steve Kerr on Game 6 Klay Thompson:
“I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed for Klay, given everything he’s been through, to see him knock down that final three and hold up six fingers and embrace the crowd, and vice versa. It just brought chills to me.” – 2:57 PM
More on this storyline
Perhaps the question to Thompson and the Warriors ahead of the Western Conference finals opener Wednesday night should’ve been: Is Luka Doncic basically unguardable? “Even if there were [schemes I didn’t like], then I wouldn’t say it because everybody would play that defense,” Doncic said Tuesday before the Mavericks’ practice in Chase Center. “For me, maybe I’ll see a couple more double teams this series, but that’s fine. We faced double teams the whole season, and I think we played the best when they double team. Four-on-three basketball in the NBA? We have a lot of great players, so it’s even easier on us.” -via Dallas Morning News / May 18, 2022
No wonder experts have lauded Doncic’s limitless potential and lamented the Warriors’ pick-your-poison outlook in this conference final. “Luka Doncic,” analyst Jalen Rose said Tuesday on NBA Countdown, “is the most unstoppable perimeter player in the NBA.” -via Dallas Morning News / May 18, 2022
Dinwiddie didn’t have a notable performance in this postseason until he scored 30 points and nailed five 3-pointers in 25 minutes off the bench against the Suns in Game 7. Dallas is certainly hoping to see more of that against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals, as the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder averaged 20.5 points against them in the regular season. “He is amazing with the ball,” Mavericks All-Star Luka Dončić said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s a baller. That’s the best way to describe him. We’re glad to have him.” -via Andscape / May 18, 2022
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