Yamamoto Strikes Out 10 for Fifth Win, Pays Tribute to Mentor Yashuda on His 40th Wedding Anniversary

The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Philadelphia Phillies today. Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed 5.2 innings, yielding only four hits and no earned runs, fanning a season-best 10 hitters to earn his fifth win, reducing his ERA to 2.86, and helping the Dodgers dominate 9-1.

Japanese media noted that behind this intense 104-pitch outing, there was a touching narrative.

After the game, Yamamoto returned to the dugout, placed his game-worn jersey flat on a bench, and signed his name and the date next to the number "18" on the back. Smiling, he said, "Today is the 40th wedding anniversary of my teacher, Mr. Yashuda."

In addition to the signed jersey, Yamamoto also autographed the game-winning ball and official scorecard from this match, presenting them as commemorative gifts to his mentor and his wife, expressing his deep gratitude over the years.

According to reports, the bond between Yamamoto and Yashuda began when Yamamoto was 19 years old, in his first professional season. Since then, the two have worked together long-term under the shared goal of "becoming the world's best pitcher." From body mechanics, pitching mechanics, to the mindset and attitude required of a pitcher, Yashuda guided him step by step, while Yamamoto turned that guidance into performance through incredible discipline, eventually emerging as one of the top pitchers in Japan and MLB.

During Game 3 of last year's World Series, when the Dodgers were preparing for a potential 19th inning in extra innings, Yamamoto—despite having pitched just the day before—was ready to take the mound again if needed. After the game, he emotionally stated, "I want to show how amazing Yashuda is." Those words captured the deep bond between master and pupil.

This week, Yashuda made a special trip from Japan to the United States to personally observe Yamamoto's pitching mechanics and physical condition.

Yamamoto revealed, "I've felt great physically since this week's practices, so I was able to step onto the mound today with full confidence. Two days ago during bullpen sessions, my velocity was already higher than expected, and today I felt the quality of my pitches was even better than I realized for the first time in a while."