The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their homestand in style with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Riding high on back-to-back wins, the defending World Series champions were led by an electric performance from their star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto silences Cubs with a pitching clinic
Yamamoto came to play in every sense, even as he pitched for just his second victory in the majors. In a commanding performance, the Japanese ace pitched six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and a walk while fanning nine Cubs batters. He set the tone early with his dominance on the mound, leaving not much room for the Chicago offense.
Yamamoto handily justified the massive 12-year, $325 million contract, dished out by the Dodgers. The ace splitter he used was the primary pitch that contributed to bamboozling the Cubs all night.
Learned immediately after the game through an interpreter, Yoshihiro Sonoda, Yamamoto elaborated on how his control and confidence with the pitch had developed tremendously this season.
“Last year, the catcher did call many [splitters], but I was not able to control it. So there was a tendency of falling behind,” he shared. “But this year, I’m feeling good with the splitter, so that’s why the usage was high.”
Ohtani hails his countryman
Dodgers Superstar Shohei Ohtani didn't comprise anything while applauding for his fellow. The two-way wonder went through social media after the end of the game showing Yamamoto's pitching stats through a graphic. That was the gesture of support from one Japanese star to another, which indeed emphasizes the camaraderie already brewing between the other players in the Dodgers' dugout.
Tommy Edman delivers the big blow
Although Yamamoto was unhittable on the mound, his offensive inspiration came from Tommy Edman in the sixth inning, who knocked the game-winning three-run home run to give the Dodgers a cushion that they would coastingly hold on to. It was Edman's sixth blast of the season, making him the league's home run leader.
Dave Roberts lauds yamamoto's impact and endurance
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, at the post-game conference, showered praise to Yamamoto for his endurance and the relief he brought to a bullpen that's come under some pressure.
“In the last week, the starting pitching has been a little wavery,” Roberts said. “And so to kind of reset our ’pen off an off-day, five more days for another off-day, we're sort of reset right now. And just giving us length every single time out has been huge.”
The timing of Yamamoto’s outing couldn’t have been better, as the Dodgers are in the middle of a demanding six-game homestand without any rest days. His six innings of work not only secured the win but also gave the bullpen a much-needed breather heading into the next stretch of games.