Dodgers Take 2-0 NLCS Lead as Yamamoto Throws First Postseason Complete Game in Eight Years
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a historic performance yesterday, throwing a complete game in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, leading his team to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and a 2-0 series lead.
Yamamoto pitched all nine innings at American Family Field, striking out seven, allowing just three hits, and walking one batter. It was the first complete game in the MLB postseason since Justin Verlander in 2017, and the first of Yamamoto’s Major League career. He also became the first Japanese-born player to accomplish the feat in postseason play. Despite allowing a leadoff home run to Jackson Chourio, Yamamoto quickly regained composure. “That was the first hitter,” Yamamoto told reporters through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “And I feel regrettable, that home run, but I reset my mind and then I just focused on executing my own pitches.”
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been dominant thus far in the NLCS, following Blake Snell’s strong Game 1 performance. This marks the first time since 2016 that teammates have delivered consecutive postseason starts of at least eight innings. The Dodgers’ success is particularly notable given their focus on building a strong pitching rotation, a strategy that could prove crucial as they aim for a World Series title. Offensively, Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy powered the Dodgers, with Muncy hitting his 14th postseason home run, breaking the franchise record. “It means a lot to me,” Muncy said. “The Dodgers are a franchise that has been around for a very, very long time… And to be able to break that record is kind of huge for me.”
Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win approximately 84% of the time, according to MLB.com. The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday, while the American League Championship Series continues today with Game 3 between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated after the game that the team’s strength lies in its starting pitching.
