Dodgers’ Yamamoto Delivers Complete Game in World Series Win Against Blue Jays

TORONTO — The Los Angeles Dodgers showcased their resilience as pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a complete game, leading his team to a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night. This marked the first complete game in the Fall Classic since 2015.

Yamamoto, 27, who signed a historic 13-year contract with the Dodgers, scattered four hits, struck out eight batters, and did not issue a single walk. His dominance on the mound even sparked nostalgic comparisons to legendary pitcher Orel Hershiser’s postseason performances in the late 1980s.

“Today’s game, we had to win,” Yamamoto said through his interpreter, Yoshihiro Sonoda. “That’s how I treated this game.” His performance tied the series at one game apiece as the teams head to Dodger Stadium for the next three games.

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman matched Yamamoto early in the game, but struggled in the late innings after giving up two solo home runs in the seventh inning, surrendering the lead for good. This game revealed weaknesses in the Toronto bullpen, which had previously impressed in prior rounds of the playoffs.

Despite the Dodgers’ offensive struggles leading up to the game, they found success against Gausman, who limited the team to only one run over the first six innings with effective use of his fastball and splitters.

However, the Dodgers’ bats ignited when catcher Will Smith hit a homer in the seventh, followed by teammate Max Muncy contributing another blast for insurance runs. After the seventh inning, Yamamoto sailed through the final two innings, striking out the side in the eighth and leaving no room for the Blue Jays to mount a comeback.

“He was in control the whole time,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “Given the magnitude of these games, it’s remarkable what he has accomplished.”

The series now shifts to Los Angeles, where the Dodgers will look to leverage their home-field advantage as they aim to take control against Toronto, who has shown tenacity throughout the postseason.