The night Yamamoto owned Milwaukee and revived the Dodgers’ dream

Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a masterclass on the mound to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5–1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field. It was the first complete game pitched in the postseason in the past 21 years.

The Dodgers’ right-hander was untouchable, going the full nine innings while allowing just three hits and one run. Most impressively, the Japanese star needed only 111 pitches to finish the job. Yamamoto struck out seven of the 33 batters he faced, sealing the victory with a strikeout of Andrew Vaughn to end the game.

Yamamoto regains control after first-pitch home run

Jackson Chourio stunned Yamamoto early, smashing a leadoff homer in the first inning that traveled 389 feet to right field. But the Brewers’ brief surge of excitement was short-lived – Teoscar Hernández answered immediately with a solo shot of his own to tie the score. Moments later, Andy Pages ripped a double to right and Kiké Hernández raced home from first to put the Dodgers ahead 2–1.

Strong pitching and sharp outfield defense kept both teams scoreless from the third through fifth innings, until Max Muncy broke through in the sixth. With two outs and a full count, Muncy crushed a hanging fastball from Freddy Peralta deep into the seats to extend Los Angeles’s lead.

Ohtani finally shines in October

Shohei Ohtani has had a quiet postseason with the Dodgers, but he finally made an impact in the seventh inning. The designated hitter drove a grounder into left field to bring home Kiké Hernández for his second run of the night. The reigning National League MVP then stole second base, though Freddie Freeman struck out to end the inning.

In the eighth, the Dodgers threatened again, loading the bases but managing only one more run. Tommy Edman ripped a hard grounder to the right side to drive in Will Smith, before a walk to Kiké filled the bases once more – but Andy Pages and Ohtani both failed to capitalize.

Dodgers’ offense stalls late but holds firm

The team managed by Dave Roberts loaded the bases in the ninth after Mookie Betts was hit by a pitch, Freddie Freeman doubled, and Robert Gasser issued an intentional walk to Will Smith. They couldn’t capitalize, as Max Muncy struck out and Grant Anderson opened his relief outing by forcing a double play on Teoscar Hernández’s grounder to end the game.

Still, Yamamoto’s brilliance made sure it didn’t matter. With his complete-game performance, the Dodgers took Game 2 of the National League Championship Series 5–1 over the Brewers, heading home with confidence and momentum, 2-0 ahead.

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