Michael Toglia, Jose Urena come through in Rockies’ 2-1 win over Dodgers – The Denver Post

Michael Toglia delivered in the clutch and Jose Urena delivered six strong innings in the Rockies’ 2-1 victory over the Dodgers on Monday night in Los Angeles.

Toglia, the rookie first baseman, came to the plate in the ninth inning with two outs and Sean Bouchard standing on second.

Up to that point, the Rockies were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and Toglia had struck out in his first three at-bats. His strikeout rate in his inaugural season is 34.8%.

But Toglia came through with an RBI single off Brusdar Graterol to score Bouchard, his former UCLA teammate, to provide the go-ahead run.

“That was a good one, in all facets,” Bouchard told AT&T SportsNet after he went 3-for-4 with two doubles. “Jose went out there and threw a great game. … It’s exciting to have all of the boys pull through, and Mike with the big hit there at the end.”

With closer Daniel Bard unavailable, right-hander Justin Lawrence pitched the ninth and he came through, notching his first career save.

“It’s a very good lineup, one of the best in baseball, so to get that (save) here is exciting,” Lawrence told reporters in Los Angeles. “It’s something I’ll remember forever.”

Urena, a pending free agent, made a major statement in his final start of 2022. And gave the Rockies’ front office plenty to chew on in the offseason.

Urena pitched six crisp innings against the most dangerous team in the majors. The only run he allowed was a one-out homer to Trayce Thompson in the third. He gave up five total hits, didn’t walk any, and struck out four.

“He was on point, and good for him, that was a great finish,” manager Bud Black told reporters.

Through his last five starts, he’s 0-2 with a 2.25 ERA, allowing no more than two earned runs in each start while pitching at least five innings in each game.

Prior to Monday’s game, Black talked about Urena’s recent performance and the Rockies’ interest in re-signing him.

“He’s shown the durability to make his starts and make every side session,” Black told MLB.com. “And within that, he’s held his stuff. I think every start, stuff-wise, has been as consistent as a starting pitcher can be. By that I mean, the velocity range of the fastball, the movement to his fastball, and the velocities to his secondary pitches.

“Overall, the quality of his work has been good and he’s left a favorable impression on the coaches and I. And his teammates.”

As for the potential of Urena being back in Colorado next season, Black said: “I think the way he’s thrown, we’re going to have a look at it when he goes into free agency. And honestly, from what I’ve heard, he’s going to do the same thing as it relates to us.”