Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Complete-Game Gem Propels Dodgers Past Blue Jays

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of World Series glory, and a lot of that has to do with their ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In Game 2, Yamamoto threw the first complete game in a decade at the Fall Classic, shutting down the Toronto Blue Jays with precision and calm.

His dominance secured a crucial 5–1 win and pushed the Dodgers to a 2–0 series lead. Now, they’re staring at a chance to clinch the championship at home.

Yamamoto’s Historic Performance

Pitchers just don’t throw complete games much anymore, especially not in the World Series. Yamamoto became the first to do it since Johnny Cueto in 2015, stamping his name among baseball’s greats.

Even more wild, the Japanese righthander joined Curt Schilling as the only guys to throw back-to-back complete games in the postseason. He’s also the first since Madison Bumgarner in 2014 to have multiple complete games in a single playoffs.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Yamamoto had a rough first inning, but then he found his groove:

After the first, he averaged a little over 10 pitches per inning. That efficiency kept the Blue Jays guessing and the Dodgers in the driver’s seat.

Turning Point in Game 2

The game stayed tense until the seventh, tied at 1–1. Toronto’s only run came in the third when George Springer scored on Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly.

But then, with the pressure mounting, the Dodgers’ bats woke up.

Home Run Power Takes Over

In the bottom of the seventh, Will Smith and Max Muncy hit back-to-back solo homers. That broke the tie and swung all the momentum to Los Angeles.

Yamamoto locked things down from there, mixing pinpoint control with serious heat to keep Toronto from mounting any comeback.

Dave Roberts’ Faith and Old-School Mentality

Managers usually pull starters early these days, but Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said it was a “no-brainer” to let Yamamoto finish the ninth. The right-hander’s durability felt like a throwback to when aces finished what they started.

Roberts praised Yamamoto’s resilience, saying his pitch count stayed reasonable thanks to those quick middle innings.

The Championship Outlook

Now the series heads to Dodger Stadium for three games. Los Angeles has a real shot to clinch at home.

If it goes long, Yamamoto could start Game 6, giving the Dodgers another chance to ride their ace.

Historical Parallels

The Dodgers hadn’t seen a World Series complete game since Orel Hershiser wrapped up Game 2 back in 1988. Yamamoto’s outing will stick in memory alongside Hershiser’s and other legendary postseason performances—think Bumgarner in 2014 or Schilling in 2001.

Where This Leaves Toronto

The Blue Jays see Yamamoto’s mastery as a hurdle they’ve got to overcome—fast. They might need to shake up their offense, maybe get more aggressive early in the count, just to keep him from getting comfortable.

Now, they’re heading back to Los Angeles. The crowd will be loud and the Dodgers look confident, which only makes things tougher for Toronto.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws complete gem in defeating Blue Jays