Yamamoto

Yamamoto Dominates As Dodgers Surge Past Brewers To Seize 2-0 NLCS Lead

Don Watz

The Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 Tuesday night at American Family Field in Game Two of the National League Championship Series, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead. Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a masterful complete game performance for the Dodgers, silencing the Brewers’ lineup after allowing a first-inning home run to Jackson Chourio.

The victory puts Los Angeles just two wins away from a chance to defend their 2024 World Series championship, while Milwaukee faces an uphill battle to avoid extending its World Series drought that dates back to 1982, when they competed in the American League. The Dodgers’ offense came alive after being down by one run, scoring five unanswered runs.

Game Two showcased the stark contrast between two teams heading in opposite directions. While the Dodgers capitalized on their scoring opportunities and received stellar pitching from their Japanese ace, the Brewers managed just four hits against Yamamoto and failed to generate any offensive momentum after the opening frame. The loss leaves Milwaukee in a precarious position heading back to Los Angeles for Games Three and Four.

 

Key Takeaways: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Complete Game is Rare and Historic

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s complete game effort represents a historic achievement in modern baseball, where nine-inning performances by starting pitchers have become increasingly rare. The 25-year-old Japanese right-hander struck out eight batters while allowing just four hits. His dominance following Blake Snell’s eight-inning gem in Game One has given the Dodgers’ rotation exactly what they needed after bullpen concerns plagued them throughout the regular season.

  • Teoscar Hernandez continues his torrid postseason pace, blasting his fourth home run of October to tie the Cubs’ Matt Busch for the postseason lead.. His ability to come through in clutch moments has been a defining characteristic of this Dodgers’ playoff run.
  • Max Muncy broke through with his first home run and RBI of the postseason, launching a blast to straightaway center field that provided crucial insurance runs for the Dodgers. The veteran third baseman had struggled offensively in the early rounds of the playoffs, but his timing couldn’t have been better as Los Angeles looks to close out this series quickly. 
  • Shohei Ohtani recorded his first RBI of the NLCS, bringing his postseason total to six runs batted in while continuing to make his presence felt in his first October with the Dodgers. The two-way superstar’s single to right field in the fifth inning exemplified his ability to contribute even when not hitting for power. 
  • Chourio provided the lone bright spot for Milwaukee with his leadoff home run, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat in this postseason. The outfielder’s impressive rookie campaign carried over into October, but his teammates failed to provide adequate support. 
  • Milwaukee’s offensive struggles became glaring as they managed just four hits against Yamamoto after producing only one hit against Snell in Game One. The Brewers have now scored just two runs through the first two games of this series, a stark contrast to their offensive production during their Wild Card and Division Series victories. Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the frustration, stating after the game in a television interview  that “those two pitchers were as dominant as they could be and brought out the worst in us.”
  • The Dodgers’ bullpen, which entered this series as their primary concern, has barely been tested through two games thanks to outstanding starting pitching performances. Blake Snell’s eight shutout innings in Game One were followed by Yamamoto’s complete game masterpiece, giving the relief corps much-needed rest. This development could prove crucial as the series progresses and the Dodgers aim to clinch their National League pennant.

 

 

Game Two Scoring Summary

  • The first inning set an early tone when Chourio connected on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s offering for a leadoff home run, giving Milwaukee an early 1-0 advantage. 
  • Los Angeles answered immediately in the second inning whenHernandez launched his fourth postseason home run into the left field second deck, knotting the score at 1-1. The momentum continued later in the same frame as Andy Pages doubled to right field before Enrique Hernandez drove him home with a clutch RBI single, putting the Dodgers ahead 2-1.
  • The fourth inning saw Muncy break out of his postseason slump with authority, crushing a home run to straightaway center field that extended Los Angeles’ lead to 3-1. 
  • Ohtani added to the Dodgers’ advantage in the fifth inning, collecting his first RBI of the NLCS when he singled home Enrique Hernandez, who had reached base with a double to center field. The run pushed Los Angeles ahead 4-1 and effectively put the game out of reach as Yamamoto continued his dominant performance on the mound.
  • The eighth inning provided the final scoring burst when Tommy Edman delivered an RBI single off Brewers reliever Tobias Myers. Will Smith had singled earlier in the frame and advanced to third base before Edman’s clutch hit brought him home, capping the scoring at 5-1 and sealing another comprehensive victory for the Dodgers.

Down 2-0, Milwaukee Travels to Los Angeles

The series now shifts to Dodger Stadium for Games Three and Four, where Los Angeles will have the opportunity to close out the National League Championship Series on their home field. The Dodgers enter with all the momentum after outscoring Milwaukee 7-2 through the first two contests, while the Brewers face the daunting task of winning four straight games to advance to the World Series.

Game Three is scheduled for Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, where Milwaukee will need to find answers against a Dodgers team that appears to be hitting its stride at the perfect time. The Brewers’ season hangs in the balance as they prepare for what could be their final games of 2024, while Los Angeles sits just two victories away from returning to baseball’s biggest stage.

 

Oct 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws to first base to get out Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich (not pictured) in the ninth inning during game two of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

 

Don recently returned to writing after a hiatus. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the USA Today, Tallahassee Democrat, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Detroit Free Press, and Arizona Republic.

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