Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines in Postseason Gem
Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a career-best postseason performance, striking out 10 batters and limiting the Braves to one run over seven innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory in Game 3 of the NLDS.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has cemented his status as a franchise postseason legend with another dominant outing. In Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Yamamoto pitched seven innings, allowing just one run and striking out a career-high 10 batters to secure a crucial 3-1 victory.
Yamamoto's performance on Tuesday night at Truist Park was critical for the Dodgers, who entered the game trailing in the best-of-five series. His outing minimized the strain on the Dodgers' bullpen and allowed the offense, which scored three runs on home runs by Kiké Hernández and Freddie Freeman, to hold on for the win.
The 28-year-old Japanese right-hander controlled the game from the start, allowing only one hit through the first three innings. While the Braves managed to score a run in the fifth inning, Yamamoto quickly regrouped, retiring the final batters he faced, including striking out Thomas and Austin Riley to end his outing.
The Dodgers' offense faced Atlanta's Chris Sale, a former Cy Young Award winner. Though the Dodgers managed to take an early lead, the offense struggled at times, particularly with Shohei Ohtani batting fifth in the lineup, his lowest position since 2020. Ohtani reached base twice but did not appear a significant threat at the plate, a situation attributed by the team to lingering injuries and management decisions earlier in the season.
Despite Ohtani's diminished offensive impact, Yamamoto's pitching dominance ensured the Dodgers regained the series lead, now holding a 2-1 advantage. The Dodgers have an opportunity to close out the series on Wednesday.