Yoshinobu Yamamoto falters as Dodgers lose to Brewers in NLCS
Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed two walks and four hits while striking out one batter in 2-2/3 innings on Monday, lasting the shortest postseason start of his career as the Los Angeles Dodgers lost 7-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.
Yamamoto Stumbles as Milwaukee Takes Control of the NLCS
The defeat drops the Dodgers behind 2-0 in the series and places their bid for a third straight championship in serious jeopardy. Entering Monday’s matchup, Yamamoto held an 8-1 career postseason record with a 2.14 ERA across 11 playoff appearances, earning World Series MVP honors last year. His outing lasted just 75 pitches, with 36 coming in a chaotic third inning.
The Brewers continually fouled off pitches to drive up the right-hander’s pitch count before knocking him from the contest. “I don’t know the exact reason yet,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “I need to check the videos and then I can reflect on what happened today.”
The Turning Point in the Third Inning
Los Angeles held a brief 2-1 lead in the third frame with runners on first and second with two outs when Jake Bauers approached the plate. Bauers worked the count full and fouled off six consecutive pitches before drawing a 12-pitch walk that loaded the bases.
“It was a blast, honestly,” Bauers said. “It was a blast. Any time you can get that locked in doing anything, it’s to me one of the most enjoyable experiences I think a human being can have.”
Christian Yelich followed with a two-run single to center field, pushing Milwaukee ahead 3-2 and ending Yamamoto’s night. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the rarity of the performance. “He just didn’t have it tonight, which is very rare,” Roberts said.
“I think everybody’s so used to him being a robot that if he didn’t go eight innings, no hits, whatever, it wasn’t Yamamoto,” Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts said. “It shows he’s a human being and it’s playoff baseball.”
Dodgers Hitters Struggle in Postseason Slump
The Dodgers briefly reclaimed a 4-3 advantage in the fifth inning, but their lineup generated only three hits on the night. Los Angeles hitters struggled to break out of a lingering postseason slump, going 2 for 26 with runners in scoring position during the playoffs. Four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani has not hit a home run since August 18.
Milwaukee relievers Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe, and Aaron Ashby combined to retire the final 15 Dodgers batters in order to secure the victory.
“Our job now is to win several games and give him another chance,” third baseman Max Muncy said, “because I know that next time out he’s going to dominate.”