The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed another great outing from Yoshinobu Yamamoto in World Series Game 2 against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Japanese ace’s complete game performance was followed by an inside look from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
The Dodgers lost Game 1 to the Blue Jays, putting them on the back foot in the World Series. A loss in Game 2 would have shaken their confidence. However, Yamamoto knew he had a job to do the uplift the environment in the locker room. The $325 million pitcher threw a complete game, allowing only one earned run on four hits and zero walks. He struck out eight over 105 pitches.
After the game, Roberts threw light on what ignited Yamamoto to deliver when called upon. The manager said the Japanese ace has a lot of experience in such situations and he is built for moments like this.
“He said before the series, losing is not an option,” Roberts told reporters. “And he had that look tonight. He’s pitched in huge ballgames in Japan. He’s pitched in the WBC. And players that carry the weight of a country on their shoulders — that’s pressure. And so I just feel that part of his DNA is to perform at a high level in big spots, control his heartbeat, and just continue to make pitches. So I mean, he could have thrown another 30, 40 pitches tonight. You look at Yamamoto, and it’s kind of a throwback in the sense that when he starts a game, he expects to finish it.”
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches back to back complete games in postseason
After throwing a one-run complete game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, Yoshinobu Yamamoto posted identical stats in World Series Game 2. He joins Curt Schilling (2001) as the only pitchers to achieve this feat in the Wild Card era.
Yamamoto received good support from the offense as well. Will Smith broke the 1-1 tie by hitting a big home run against Kevin Gausman in the seventh inning. Moments later, Max Muncy went opposite field to make it 3-1 just as fast. The Dodgers added two more runs in the eighth inning, while the Blue Jays remained indecisive at the plate against Yamamoto, who retired the final 20 batters he faced without giving up a hit.
For the final touches, the Dodgers had Roki Sasaki start throwing in the bullpen, but it never came to the point where they needed him to come out, as Yamamoto just cruised through to finish what he started.
The Dodgers now return home to Los Angeles for Game 3, with Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer set to rival Tyler Glasnow at Dodger Stadium.
More MLB News:
Dodgers’ $6 million veteran drops shocking retirement announcement after win over Phillies
Dodgers could use loophole to add Alex Vesia to World Series roster after personal matter concludes
Dodgers’ $72M veteran reliever expected to miss World Series roster as Roki Sasaki surges
Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber gets gigantic $150M contract update after MVP-caliber, career-best season
Dodgers could get $72M veteran reliever back for World Series after abrupt disappearance
