Julio Urias stretches out in rehab assignment with Quakes

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Dodgers top pitching prospect Julio Urias pitched his first extended outing in over two months, pitching into the fifth inning on Tuesday night in Class-A Rancho Cucamonga's 8-5 win over the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) at LoanMart Field.

Urias allowed four runs on seven hits in 4⅔ innings, striking out four while walking none. He allowed doubles in the first and second innings which led to single runs, then a two-run home run to Kevin Cron in the fifth inning.

He threw, unofficially, 71 pitches, 47 for strikes. It was a do-or-die night for the curveball, with all four strikeouts finished off by an 80-mph curve (two looking), but also all three extra-base hits were offspeed pitches.

Still, it was a step forward for Urias, who threw only three combined inning in two starts for the Arizona League Dodgers in his first two appearances since his surgery on his eye in June.

The good news for the Quakes was their offense finally showed up against Visalia. Rancho Cucamonga was held to just one run in the first three games of the series, including shutouts on Sunday and Monday. But the ... runs on Tuesday must have felt like an explosion for the Quakes.

Rancho Cucamonga got two-run home runs from Johan Mieses in the fifth inning to pull with a run, then by Austin Chubb in the sixth inning to take the lead.

Visalia tied the game in the top of the seventh, but a two-out double by Paul Hoenecke scored Tim Locastro to give the Quakes the lead. Locastro singled, walked twice and scored three runs on the night.

Rancho Cucamonga added two runs in the eighth inning, ensuring fans get free tacos, which always goes over well.

Rog Rodgers struck out three in the sixth and seventh innings for the win, recording five outs. Caleb Dirks pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his second save.

Up next

The Quakes are off Wednesday, but open a four-game series in San Bernardino against the Inland Empire 66ers on Thursday night. Jeff Brigham starts for Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday night in the road opener, with Sean Newcomb on the mound for Inland Empire.

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: Johan Mieses (3), Austin Chubb (2); Kevin Cron (19)

WP - Rob Rogers (5-2): 1⅔ IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

LP - Bud Jeter (1-1): 1 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Sv - Caleb Dirks (2): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout