Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series MVP for the Los Angeles Dodgers for one of the greatest performances in Fall Classic history, including an epic appearance in Game 7 on Saturday night.
Yamamoto pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in the day's clincher after throwing 96 pitches in the winning Game 6. He also threw a four-hitter in Game 2, which was the first complete World Series game since 2015.
“Yamamoto is the GOAT!” shouted manager Dave Roberts moments before the Dodgers lifted the World Series trophy.
The 27-year-old Japanese ace broke a jam in the ninth inning, leaving the bases loaded and the score tied at 4. After going through the 10th inning, he walked Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s leadoff double in the 11th to maintain a 5-4 lead and clinch Los Angeles' second straight title.
Yamamoto became the fourth pitcher to win games six and seven of the same World Series, passing Randy Johnson in 2001, Harry Brechin in 1946 and Ray Cramer in 1925.
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“It was unbelievable,” said Will Smith, Yamamoto's catcher, who hit the Dodgers' homer in the tiebreaker in the 11th. “You know, I talked to him yesterday and I said, 'Hey, if you give us one, we'll win.' He gave us three. It was special. He will have several months off. I know he's going to need it, but I'm just happy for him. It was amazing.”
Signed from Japan to a 12-year, $325 million contract before last season, Yamamoto was 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 27-year-old struck out 15 and walked two in 17 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and 10 hits.
The right-hander's gem in Game 2 was his second straight complete game in the postseason. He retired the last 20 batters in Dodgers win 5-1.
This happened after triple-hitter against Milwaukee in the National League Championship Series, first complete postseason game in eight years.
No pitcher has gone the distance in the Fall Classic since Kansas City's Johnny Cueto threw a two-hitter against the New York Mets. in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series.
Yamamoto wasn't as sharp in Game 6, allowing one run and five hits in six innings. Los Angeles won 3-1 to force a seventh game..
Including a win in Game 2 of last year's World Series against the New York Yankees, Yamamoto is 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in four Fall Classic appearances.
Arizona ace Curt Schilling was the last pitcher to throw consecutive complete games in the postseason, hitting three in a row in the NL Division Series and the 2001 NLCS.
Orel Hershiser was the last Dodgers pitcher to hit solo hits in a series in Games 2 and 5 against Oakland in 1988. Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax pitched two complete games each in 1963 and 1965.
Yamamoto played 12 complete games over the last three seasons for the Oryx Buffaloes of the Japan Pacific League before joining the Dodgers.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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