Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto overcame his phobia of the San Diego Padres in a game where he would be eliminated if he lost. Shohei Ohtani, 30, a Japanese player on the same team, was also excited by spraying champagne on Yamamoto.
Yamamoto started Game 5 of the 2024 Major League National League Division Series (NLDS), held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 12th (Korea time), blocked the San Diego lineup and led the Dodgers to a 2-0 victory by allowing two hits, one walk, and two strikeouts in five innings. Thanks to Yamamoto’s good pitching, which led to the Dodgers to the championship series by beating San Diego with 3 wins and 2 losses in the series. He will have the best-of-seven championship series against the New York Mets from the 14th.
According to MLB.com statistical expert Sarah Reims, Yamamoto became the third rookie in postseason winner-take-all games to keep scoreless by pitching more than five innings as a starter. She also became the fifth player in Dodgers history to score no runs in more than five innings as a starter in a winner-take-all game.
Before the game, Yamamoto had a big question mark. In the first game held on the 6th, Yamamoto was substituted early as he allowed five hits (one homer), two walks, one strikeout and five runs in three innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts failed to announce Yamamoto as the starting pitcher even at an official press conference on the eve of Game 5 (11th). There seemed to be a lack of trust in Yamamoto within the team as well.
Yamamoto, who was particularly weak against San Diego this year, also had a “tipping” issue with different pitching forms in different pitches. That was the MLB World Tour Seoul Series in Korea. Yamamoto, who made his major league debut in the opening second game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 21, lost the game by giving up four hits, one walk, two strikeouts, and five runs in one inning. In the first game of the NLDS, he also reproduced the “nightmare of Seoul” by giving three runs from the first inning.
However, Yamamoto came back to his original form in Game 5. He had consecutive hits after the third inning with one out, and there was a crisis with runners on the first and second bases, but he induced Fernando Tatis Jr. to ground out to the third base to end the inning with a 5-4-3 double play. He did not get a hit and neatly stopped the other four innings. After pitching in the fifth inning, Roberts greeted Yamamoto in a hug in front of the dugout. Ohtani was happy when he touched Yamamoto’s head after coming into the dugout.
He pitched 63 pitches through the fifth inning, hitting a maximum of 98.2 miles (158.0 kilometers) per hour (158.0 kilometers) and 96.7 miles (155.9 kilometers) on average, four-seam fastballs (32) and splitter, curves (11 for each), slider (5), and cutter (4). The four-seam fastballs were powerful enough to fly 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) faster than the average 95.5 miles (153.7 kilometers) during the season. There were several pitches that flew to the fence in the outfield, but he was caught with a fly ball to see if he had strength in the tip of the ball.
In an official press conference after the game, San Diego coach Mike Shildt said, “It was the best Yamamoto we’ve ever seen. I gave Yamamoto five points from the first inning in the second game in Korea, and that feels like 100 years ago,” adding, “I have to admit Yamamoto. His fastball pitching was alive and his breaking balls were good when needed. We couldn’t do anything. Yamamoto did a good job.”
Dodgers manager Roberts said, “Yamamoto set the tone for the game. He had many successes on the professional stage and pitched in big games. So I trusted him and saw that he would make use of his opportunity. I knew he would not run away from this stage,” adding, “I look forward to winning the World Series with him.”
His teammates also praised him. He was excluded from the postseason roster due to a toe injury, but Clayton Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young pitcher with the Dodgers team, said in an interview with SportsNetLA, “I’m really proud of Yamamoto. He pushed batters aggressively. He showed off his mental strength not to lose to anyone.”
Ohtani remained silent in Game 5 with no hits and three strikeouts from four times at bat, but was excited at the clubhouse champagne party. “Yamamoto’s pitching was overwhelming. His bullpen was really good. Everyone played together, even though we scored little. It was a series that everyone made together,” Ohtani said.
Yamamoto said, “In the first round, I did not play my role properly. I tried to concentrate and prepare more thoroughly. Due to San Diego’s good batting lineup, we had analysis meetings several times and adjusted the technical aspects,” adding, “Thanks to the team’s trust, I was able to pitch well. Ohtani has also said a lot of positive things since his last start.” “We still have more games to play. I will prepare well and throw it with confidence so that I can be of help to my team,” Yamamoto said, signaling his performance in the Championship Series. 메이저사이트
