The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees participated in a playoff game in early June, or at least it felt like one, in the series opener for arguably the most-anticipated series of the season.
The two clubs battled it out for 11 innings in what proved to be a pitcher’s duel, with the Los Angeles Dodgers finally breaking through to pick up a 2-1 victory.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto stepped up to the occasion and showed why the Dodgers made him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. Yamamoto pitched seven shutout innings, giving up just two hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
With more than 90 pitches already thrown after six innings, Yamamoto went back out for the seventh. With one out, he walked Gleyber Torres, but forced a double play to finish off his night with a new career-high 106 pitches thrown.
It was the first time the Yankees have been held scoreless through seven innings since May 3.
Dodgers vs. Yankees starts tonight. pic.twitter.com/KDAch1Zmr1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 7, 2024
Teoscar can do it all.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/vUoYiw7xBs— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 7, 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has that dog in him.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/nkDhyyrMXe— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 8, 2024
"TEOSCAR HAS HEART."
–@scottgeirman(🎥: @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/75fPYiqDTV
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 8, 2024
Teoscar called game. pic.twitter.com/sjdDRA9fEx
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 8, 2024
Teoscar did his part. Now it's your turn.
🗳️: https://t.co/SSqaZ7aq1V pic.twitter.com/uG2IATDKVz
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 8, 2024
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/dUQBWdxewT
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 8, 2024
On the offensive side, the Dodgers had few chances to score and were unable to capitalize on any of them. That is until the 11th inning, when they finally broke through.
Shohei Ohtani started as the ghost runner in the inning, and Freddie Freeman walked to put two on base. With one out, Teoscar Hernández delivered with a double to put the Dodgers up 2-0.
The Dodgers still finished the game 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, but that one swing was all they needed.
Dodgers bullpen impresses against Yankees
The Dodgers bullpen kept doing its thing with multiple contributions to keep the game scoreless. Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Michael Grove all combined to get the game to the 11th inning, with Treinen pitching out of a jam against the heart of the Yankees’ lineup.
With Evan Phillips unavailable, Yohan Ramírez was given the save opportunity. He allowed the ghost runner to score on a single to Aaron Judge, but struck out two and picked up the save.
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