Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines in World Series Debut

Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his World Series debut led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a dominant 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees, extending their lead to 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. The energetic crowd at Dodger Stadium celebrated three home runs from the home team while witnessing a late rally from the Yankees that ultimately fell short. Unlike the scoreless first half of Game One, both teams quickly got on the board in Game Two.

The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman and the Yankees’ Juan Soto exchanged solo home runs early in the match. However, the Dodgers then unleashed a barrage of power in the third inning with Teoscar Hernandez and Friday’s walk-off hero Freddie Freeman, hitting back-to-back homers to push the score to 4-1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed a record-breaking 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers after joining from the Japanese league last December.

He demonstrated his skills by pitching into the seventh inning, allowing just Soto’s homer while the Yankees struggled at the plate. Star player Aaron Judge faced a tough night, finishing hitless and striking out three times. The Yankees mounted a ninth-inning comeback, starting with Soto’s base hit which was followed by a wild pitch allowing him to reach second base.

Giancarlo Stanton drove him in, narrowing the gap to 4-2. The Yankees loaded the bases with a single from Jazz Chisholm Jr. and a hit-by-pitch on Anthony Rizzo. However, Anthony Volpe struck out and pinch-hitter Jose Trevino flew out to center field, sealing the Yankees’ fate. A concerning moment for the Dodgers came when designated hitter Shohei Ohtani exited the game with a left shoulder injury after a failed stolen base attempt in the seventh inning.

The series now heads to New York with Game Three set for Monday evening at Yankee Stadium.