UPDATE: The LA Dodgers have taken a commanding lead in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 in Game 2. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a stunning performance, securing the first postseason complete game in eight years.
In a decisive outing, Yamamoto struck out seven and limited the Brewers to just three hits, bouncing back from a previous tough start in Milwaukee. His complete game marks a historic moment, as it is the first postseason complete game since Justin Verlander accomplished the feat in 2017.
The Dodgers now hold a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series, which shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on July 27, 2023. This is significant as it’s the first time since 1970 that both League Championship Series (LCS) road teams have started with a 2-0 lead.
Yamamoto’s performance began with a rough start, allowing a home run on his very first pitch to Jackson Chourio, who delighted the sellout crowd with his fourth career postseason homer. “This year he’s taken it to a whole other level,” said teammate Max Muncy, highlighting Yamamoto’s extraordinary skill.
After Chourio’s early homer, the Dodgers quickly responded. Teoscar Hernandez launched a 3-2 curveball over the left-field wall for a two-run shot, marking his fourth homer of this postseason. The momentum continued as Andy Pages doubled, allowing Kike Hernandez to score, putting LA ahead 2-1 early in the game.
Muncy extended the lead with a 412-foot blast in the sixth inning, marking his 14th career postseason homer and breaking the Dodgers’ record he previously shared with Corey Seager and Justin Turner. The Dodgers added two more runs in the seventh and eighth innings, with RBIs from Shohei Ohtani and Tommy Edman.
As the series now heads to Los Angeles, the Dodgers have a strong chance of advancing, with 24 of the previous 27 teams that took the first two games on the road in a best-of-seven series having gone on to win. The Brewers will need to regroup quickly as they face significant pressure in Game 3.
The Dodgers’ victory not only highlights their powerful offense but also showcases Yamamoto’s incredible resilience and skill on the mound. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the series continues to unfold. Stay tuned for more updates as the NLCS progresses.
