A Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher accomplished something no other pitcher has accomplished for the franchise in more than two decades as part of their 5-1 victory on Tuesday night.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a complete game – the first in the postseason for any Dodgers pitcher since 2004.
Yamamoto can now say that during his legendary career he accomplished something that Clayton Kershaw couldn’t even do.
While the Milwaukee Brewers had to burn five relievers following starter Freddie Peralta, the Dodgers only needed one.
Yamamoto is also the first Japanese-born pitcher to throw a complete game in MLB postseason history.
In his nine innings, Yamamoto allowed just one run on just three hits. The Japanese flamethrower recorded seven strikeouts and ended the evening in the most impressive way, retiring the last fourteen batters he faced.
Ironically, Yamamoto’s complete game comes after he struggled in his previous playoff start. In an October 8 National League Division Series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Yamamoto lasted just four innings, as he gave up three runs and six hits with a pair of strikeouts.
He did win a wild card round start over the Reds, but saw two runs come home, although he left the outing with no earned runs, in 6.2 innings of work.
Thanks to Yamamoto’s brilliance on the mound, Los Angeles has a stranglehold on the National League Championship Series, heading home with a 2-0 series lead after back-to-back wins in Milwaukee.
And barring a total collapse of Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles is primed for a return trip to the World Series as one of MLB’s most storied franchises looks for back-to-back championships. It would also make Yamamoto a perfect 2-for-2 when it comes to earning his second World Series ring in as many seasons since bringing his talents to the United States.
Yamamoto went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 30 regular-season starts this year. If all goes according to plan, his next appearance will be in the World Series.
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