Yoshinobu Yamamoto is playing like a pitcher worthy of a 12-year, $325 million contract. It’s a far cry from his Major League Baseball debut, wherein he gave up five runs and four hits in one inning against the San Diego Padres.
In his latest start, he pitched eight innings and gave up two runs and five hits while striking out five batters and not giving up a walk. His performance was a big part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 8-2 victory against the Miami Marlins. It’s the Dodgers’ sixth consecutive victory, improving their mark to 25-13.
Yoshinobu with eight dominant innings! pic.twitter.com/RdINolN3k4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 8, 2024
Before he took the mound against the Marlins, Yamamoto gave up zero runs in six innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last April 25, he also blanked the Washington Nationals in six innings.
That performance from Yamamoto isn’t an aberration. Instead, it’s part of his lights-out pitching over his last six starts. In 33 innings pitched, the Japanese sensation has a 1.64 earned run average and 0.97 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and seven walks.
His latest victory improves his record to 4-1 with a 2.79 ERA in eight starts. He has 47 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP in 42 innings. More importantly, the Dodgers lead the National League West by 6.5 games and have the second-best record in MLB, behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
-Lance Fernandez