The Los Angeles Dodgers, with a Yoshinobu Yamamoto complete-game masterclass on the mound and home runs from Will Smith and Max Muncy, beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Saturday to level the World Series at one game apiece.
Japan’s Yamamoto, who pitched the first post-season complete game in eight years in game two of the Dodgers’ National League Championship Series triumph over Milwaukee, again went the distance in scintillating style as the Dodgers bounced back from an 11-4 game one thrashing.
He retired the last 20 batters he faced, settling in after giving up one run and four hits in a nervy start to out-duel Toronto starting pitcher Kevin Gausman in a nail-biting contest.
“To be honest, I was not thinking I can complete the game because my pitch count racked up kind of quickly,” Yamamoto said. “But I’m very happy I completed the game.
“I just adjusted as the game moved on after the whole first inning because it was two runners on bases.”
Max Muncy (left) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Photo: Getty Images
Aiming for a quick bounce-back after their lopsided game-one loss, the defending champion Dodgers put up one run in the first inning.