Yamamoto makes history with a complete-game victory
Yoshinobu Yamamoto authored one of the most telling performances of the current postseason, delivering MLB’s first postseason complete game since 2017 and the Dodgers’ first since 2004. In Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, the 27-year-old right-hander didn’t need fireworks or a loud celebration to realize his place in the record books. He walked around the mound, nonchalantly removed his glove, and finally let a quiet smile escape only when he glanced at the center-field scoreboard. Then, with nine innings of three hits allowed and one run, he walked off with a 5-1 Dodgers victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
After the game, Yamamoto spoke softly in Japanese about the milestone, underscoring the quiet intensity that defined his night. “I was able to pitch until the end,” he said, reflecting on a performance that felt both nostalgic and decisive in an era of strict pitch counts and reliever usage in October.
Strategic brilliance and clockwork efficiency
From the first pitch, Yamamoto showed a willingness to challenge the Brewers’ hitters. The first-pitch homer by Jackson Chourio was a sobering start, but he quickly regrouped, orchestrating outs with a mixture of curves, cutters, sinkers, and a late-biting splitter. He mixed in a steady rhythm and kept the ball down, limiting the Brewers to just 14 batters retired in a row at one stretch and finishing with 110 pitches—more technically demanding than sheer velocity.
Yamamoto’s performance was built on a shared pitching-calling dynamic with catcher Will Smith. As the game progressed, he found his groove and retired the final 14 batters, transforming pressure into a near-effortless sequence. This efficient, methodical approach stands in contrast to recent postseason archetypes and felt like a throwback to a bygone era of starting pitchers.
Dodgers’ offense supports the gem
While Yamamoto controlled the mound, Los Angeles supplied ample support. After Chourio’s leadoff homer, Teoscar Hernández answered with a solo shot in the second inning, followed by an RBI double from Andy Pages that put the Dodgers ahead. Max Muncy’s 14th career postseason homer added insurance in the sixth, and Shohei Ohtani contributed an RBI in the seventh to push the lead further. The offense, like the pitching, operated with efficiency and opportunism, ensuring Yamamoto could work without excessive strain late in the game.
Managerial trust and series momentum
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the confidence the staff has in Yamamoto, particularly when the game progresses and the pitch count climbs. “He’s got true confidence from me that even the third time through, at pitch 90, he feels that he’s the best option,” Roberts said, highlighting the trust that underpins LA’s postseason rotation. The result: Dodgers lead the series 2-0, with a balanced rotation, a durable outing from Yamamoto, and a bullpen that’s remained relatively unstressed through two games.
Context and implications for the Dodgers’ path
Yamamoto’s masterpiece arrived on a night when the Dodgers had already shown resilience. It echoed Clayton Kershaw’s remarks about the strength of the pitching staff and capped a performance that will be remembered as a hallmark of this Dodgers’ postseason run. As the club looks ahead, starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is slated for Game 3 and Ohtani for Game 4, keeping the rotation firmly in the discussion as the Dodgers push toward a pennant race that is beginning to feel like a coronation for this era of Los Angeles baseball.
Quotes and reflections
“Good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week,” said future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, praising the staff’s breadth and Yamamoto’s precision. Will Smith added that Yamamoto’s dominance was evident in every frame, and Kiké Hernández even joked about getting bored in the outfield, underscoring the dramatic tempo of the night. For a Dodgers rotation that has posted a 1.54 ERA in the playoffs, Yamamoto’s complete game was the keystone moment that reinforced why this pitching corps may be the best he has seen in his 18 years with the team.
