TORONTO (AP) – In a remarkable performance, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a four-hitter for his second consecutive complete game, marking the first time a pitcher has done so in the World Series since 2015. The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Saturday night, leveling their best-of-seven series at one game apiece.
Yamamoto, coming off a stellar three-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, showcased his dominance by retiring the last 20 batters he faced. The last pitcher to complete a game in the Fall Classic was Kansas City’s Johnny Cueto, who achieved this feat against the New York Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series.
Reflecting on his performance, Yamamoto stated through an interpreter, “I was trying to be in the game relaxed, but it’s the World Series. So I kind of, early on, I was throwing with unnecessary tension. So I just adjusted that as the game went on.” His journey toward dominance is highlighted by the fact that no pitcher had thrown consecutive complete games in the postseason since Curt Schilling achieved three in a row in 2001.
Will Smith was pivotal for the Dodgers, driving in three RBIs, including a critical seventh-inning home run off Toronto's Kevin Gausman, who had previously retired 17 batters in a row. Max Muncy contributed to the scoreline with a solo homer later in the same inning, creating an impressive offensive run for Los Angeles.
This particular matchup was historic, as it marked the first postseason game where two pitchers retired 17 or more consecutive batters, according to data from the Elias Sports Bureau. Yamamoto, a 27-year-old right-hander in just his second big league season, demonstrated remarkable efficiency, throwing 105 pitches—73 being strikes. Following a taxing first inning that required 23 pitches, Yamamoto settled into a rhythm that proved effective throughout the game.
“He’s just not letting anything get to him,” said Muncy, highlighting Yamamoto’s composure on the mound. “From what I’ve seen, there’s nothing that fazes him out there. He keeps his composure at all times and just thinks about executing his next pitch.” By striking out eight batters and allowing no walks, Yamamoto improved his postseason record to 5-1, with the Dodgers posting a 7-1 record in games he started.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays acknowledged Yamamoto’s exceptional performance, stating, “It was his night. He executed every pitch.” Additionally, Yamamoto became the first Dodgers pitcher since Orel Hershiser in 1988 to achieve back-to-back complete games in the postseason, a testament to his skills and endurance.
Utilizing a versatile array of six pitches, Yamamoto allowed his only run in the third inning after hitting George Springer. He subsequently gave up a single to Guerrero, which brought in Toronto’s lone run. After this moment, however, Yamamoto did not allow any other runners to reach base, exemplifying his remarkable ability to focus.
On the Dodgers’ offensive side, Freddie Freeman started strong with a two-out double in the first inning, setting the stage for Smith’s subsequent RBI single. Smith’s seventh-inning home run sailed into the second deck, and Muncy quickly followed with his own homer into left field, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Blue Jays. The scoring continued in the eighth with a wild pitch from Jeff Hoffman and another run from Smith, who grounded into a forceout.
As the World Series progresses, Game 3 is set for Monday night at Dodger Stadium, following a travel day. The upcoming match will feature Blue Jays RHP Max Scherzer facing the Dodgers’ RHP Tyler Glasnow. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, will be aiming to become the first pitcher to start in the World Series for four different teams, having previously made his lone decision for Washington in the 2019 opener. In contrast, Glasnow has impressed this postseason with an outstanding 0.68 ERA.
