In a performance that will be etched into postseason folklore, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered an absolute pitching masterclass on Tuesday night, throwing a complete game gem to power the Los Angeles Dodgers to a crucial 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Japanese right-hander, in his debut MLB season, looked every bit the ace the Dodgers envisioned when they signed him, dominating one of the National League's most potent lineups from first pitch to last. Yamamoto's historic effort gives Los Angeles a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.
A Pitcher in Complete Control
From the opening inning, Yamamoto established his authority on the game, mixing his devastating splitter with pinpoint fastball command to keep Brewers hitters perpetually off-balance. The Milwaukee lineup, which had terrorised pitchers throughout the regular season, found themselves consistently frustrated by Yamamoto's surgical precision.
'What we witnessed tonight was special,' said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. 'Yoshinobu pitched with the poise of a ten-year veteran. He wanted this game, and he went out and took it.'
Brewers' Frustration Mounts
The Brewers' sole breakthrough came in the fourth inning when a rare mistake from Yamamoto resulted in a solo home run. Rather than rattling the young pitcher, the concession seemed to sharpen his focus, as he retired the next 16 batters in succession, suffocating any hope of a Milwaukee rally.
Milwaukee's ace, Corbin Burnes, matched Yamamoto through five innings but ultimately succumbed to the relentless Dodgers offence in the sixth. A clutch two-run double proved the difference, giving Yamamoto all the run support he would need to seal the victory.
Postseason History Made
Yamamoto's complete game represents the first by a Dodgers pitcher in the Championship Series since Orel Hershiser's legendary performance in 1988. The significance wasn't lost on the sold-out crowd, who rose to their feet as Yamamoto took the mound for the ninth inning.
The final line tells the story of dominance:
- 9.0 innings pitched
- 1 earned run
- 4 hits allowed
- 8 strikeouts
- 0 walks
As the series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3, the Brewers face what amounts to a must-win situation against a Dodgers team radiating with confidence, led by their new postseason hero.
