'Even without Ohtani, they are doing well.' Yamamoto's 6 innings, quality start → 100th career win in U.S. and Japan... Team secures a tense 4-3 victory [LAD Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Even without ace Shohei Ohtani (32), the Los Angeles Dodgers are doing well.' Another Japanese pitcher, Yamamoto Yoshinobu (28), led the Dodgers to victory with solid pitching.

On the 26th (Korea time), Yamamoto started against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens, New York, in a regular-season MLB game. He pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out five batters, giving up only one earned run to lead the Dodgers to a 4-3 win.

In his 19th start of the season, Yamamoto secured his 11th win (with six losses), lowering his ERA from 2.78 to 2.72. With this victory, he reached his 30th MLB win (16 losses). Combined with his 70 wins (29 losses) during his NPB career, Yamamoto achieved a total of 100 wins across both the U.S. and Japan.

It was a steady performance. Yamamoto threw a total of 100 pitches, including 28 split-finger fastballs, 26 four-seam fastballs, 16 cutters, 13 curveballs, 11 sinkers, and six sliders. His average fastball velocity was 95.1 mph, generating 13 swings and misses.

Yamamoto faced trouble from the first inning. After two outs, he allowed consecutive hits to Bo Bichette and Carson Kelly. However, he struck out Luis Robert Jr. with a low split-finger pitch outside the zone that resulted in a swing-and-miss strikeout.

After retiring the side in order in the second inning, Yamamoto struggled against the heart of the Mets' lineup in the third. A pitch intended to lure Francisco Alvarez outside the zone failed to work, resulting in a walk. He then struck out A.J. Ellis with a swing-and-miss and walked Francisco Lindor again. However, he avoided allowing runs by inducing groundouts from Bichette and Kelly.

He allowed his first run in the fifth inning. Yamamoto gave up consecutive hits to Brett Baty and Alvarez. Although he grounded out A.J. Ellis at first base, he could not prevent Baty from advancing to third. Yamamoto retired Lindor with a fly ball to left field but then surrendered a hit to Bichette on a ground ball to left field, marking his first run allowed.

Yamamoto recorded two strikeouts in the sixth inning, achieving a quality start (six innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs). Afterward, the Dodgers' bullpen—Alex Vesia (one scoreless inning), Edgardo Henriquez (two-thirds of an inning, two runs allowed), Tanner Scott (one-third of an inning, scoreless), and Brock Stewart (one scoreless inning)—held the Mets to minimal scoring, securing Yamamoto's win.

In the lineup, Freddie Freeman went 3-for-4 with three hits, Andy Pages went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored, and Kyle Tucker went 1-for-3 with a home run, one RBI, one run scored, and one walk, all contributing to Yamamoto's victory. The Dodgers maintained their lead during the big third-inning rally. In the bottom of the third, Tucker hit a solo home run over the fence off Mets starter Nolan Gorman's fastball. Dalton Rushing singled to left field, Ohtani advanced to first base on a fielder's choice, putting runners at first and third with one out. Pages then grounded out for an additional run.

Mets first baseman Baty attempted to induce a double play, but Rushing scored and Ohtani reached first base before the play could be completed. Freeman then singled to right field with two outs and runners on first and third. A throwing error by the opposing catcher allowed the Dodgers to take a 3-0 lead.

With this win, the Dodgers extended their winning streak to four games despite Ohtani's injury absence, improving their record to 67 wins and 38 losses while maintaining first place in the National League West. They currently hold a 12-game lead over second-place Arizona Diamondbacks.

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*This content was translated by AI.