Before Saturday’s game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Yoshinobu Yamamoto, emphasizing pitching as his best skill. Later that day, Yamamoto proved this right on the field.
In his first true away game in the Majors, Yamamoto continued his stellar form, striking out eight batters and allowing just three hits across five scoreless innings. This standout performance led the Dodgers to a 4-1 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Not only did Yamamoto secure his first Major League win, but he also experienced his first celebratory beer shower, courtesy of teammate Mookie Betts.
Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes shared his admiration, saying, “I think Yoshi’s awesome. I think he’s going to be fine.” He commended Yamamoto’s strong pitching against the Cardinals and the Cubs, foreseeing a bright future for the young talent.
With 8 Ks in his first MLB victory, Yamamoto creates a masterpiece
Yamamoto had faced a setback in Seoul against the Padres, lasting only one inning. However, in his recent starts, he has shown why he was highly sought after in the offseason. Over his last two games, Yamamoto has struck out 13 batters and kept a clean slate for 10 consecutive innings.
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy expressed his satisfaction, stating, “He’s been really good. And you know, it’s kind of what we expected.” Muncy highlighted the excitement surrounding Yamamoto’s impressive contract and performance.
Yamamoto faced a challenging start against the Cubs, with the bases loaded in the first inning. Yet, he showcased remarkable composure, striking out three consecutive batters to escape the dangerous situation.
Showing determination, Yamamoto unleashed a victorious roar after freezing Michael Busch with a curveball. His manager, Dave Roberts, praised his resilience, noting his ability to maintain strong performance even in later innings.
In the second inning, Yamamoto faced another bases-loaded predicament but managed to strike out Cody Bellinger, halting the Cubs’ momentum. From there, the Japanese pitcher retired the next 10 batters he faced.
Reflecting on his performance, Yamamoto attributed his success to adjustments made during the game. He improved his pitching after falling behind in counts early on, leading to a dominant display in the later innings.
Yamamoto’s standout pitches included a 97 mph four-seam fastball and a deadly curveball, earning him 13 swings and misses, a career-high in his first three Major League starts.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged Yamamoto’s impressive arsenal, saying, “There’s some plus offspeed in there, certainly. It’s a full package.” He recognized the challenge Yamamoto poses with his array of pitches, noting the difficulty his team faced in breaking through.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s brilliant performance against the Cubs solidifies his position as a rising star in Major League Baseball, showcasing his immense talent and potential for greatness.
