Yamamoto's complete game was the first complete game in World Series competition since Johnny Cueto tossed one for the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets. It is worth noting that when Cueto tossed his complete game, 24 years had elapsed since the previous World Series complete game when Jack Morris went 10 innings in the Game 7 clincher for the Minnesota Twins against the Atlanta Braves in 1991.
Getting back to the present, Yamamoto surrendered a single run on four hits and that was on a sacrifice fly by Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk in the third inning. Dodgers' catcher Will Smith drove in 3 runs including a solo HR in the 7th. Max Muncy also blasted a solo HR later that inning.
Keep in mind, this is not Yamamoto's first complete game this post-season. Yamamoto also tossed a complete game in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers which the Dodgers also won by a score of 5-1. The Japanese born pitcher gave up a lead-off HR to Jackson Churios and then only surrendered two more hits the rest of the game.
Yamamoto, 27, signed with the Dodgers for $325 million over 12 years prior to the 2024 season following seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Baseball League going 70-29 with a 1.82 ERA earning three Pacific League MVPs. In 48 regular season starts over two seasons with the Dodgers, Yamamoto is 19-10 with a 2.66 ERA striking out 301 batters in 263.2 innings pitched.
It might be that Yamamoto is entering the peak of his career. In which case, the Blue Jays will have a very tall order should they have to face him again in this World Series.
The World Series moves to LA where Game 3 will be played on Monday night.
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