Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered another ace-level performance in New York, earning his first regular-season complete-game win in MLB.

Stepping onto the mound in the Bronx seems to consistently bring out the best in Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which is why he is our ace.

In the first game of a split-admission doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, Yamamoto returned to Yankee Stadium and pitched his finest game of the season. He completely shut down the Yankees' lineup, tossing nine innings while allowing just two runs, leading the Dodgers to an easy 8-2 victory. This marked Yamamoto's first complete game in the regular season, following his memorable back-to-back complete-game starts in the playoffs last year.

Last year, Yamamoto became the second pitcher since Josh Beckett in 2003 to have his first two career complete games occur in the postseason. He is also the first Dodgers pitcher to throw a full nine innings in a regular-season game since Gavin Stone's shutout of the Chicago White Sox on June 26, 2024.

Due to yesterday's severe weather in New York causing a postponement, the former crosstown rivals had to play two games today. The Dodgers knew they could rely on Yamamoto to eat up innings. As it turned out, he was the only pitcher they needed in the first game, leaving a fully rested bullpen for the planned bullpen game in the second contest.

“Being able to complete the whole game and pitch nine innings gives the bullpen some breathing room,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “I hope to do this as often as possible, but not every game goes so smoothly.”

In this highly anticipated matchup, Yamamoto faced Yankees ace Cam Schlittler and completely outperformed the young New York star. Schlittler struck out the side in the first inning but lasted only 4.1 innings, giving up three runs—more than enough support for Yamamoto. The Dodgers erupted in the eighth inning, sending 11 batters to the plate and adding five more runs, making Yamamoto's win even more comfortable.

“You saw Schlittler in the first inning—the velocity, the stuff, three straight strikeouts,” said manager Dave Roberts. “And for Yamamoto to take the mound in that contrast and deliver what he did today, that's why he's our ace.”

Yamamoto recorded seven strikeouts, allowed only four hits, and issued no walks. He retired the first nine batters in order until Trent Grisham broke up his perfect game with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Yamamoto's second run came in the eighth when center fielder Andy Pages lost a fly ball by Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the sun, and Anthony Volpe drove in the runner with a single.

One of the standout performances of Yamamoto's MLB rookie season was his start at Yankee Stadium on June 7, 2024, when he threw seven shutout innings with just two hits allowed. That set the stage for his equally dominant outing against the Yankees on the bigger stage of the World Series later that year. His first start in the Bronx two years ago was the first time the Dodgers saw Yamamoto's big-game mentality on an MLB mound—a mentality forged through his illustrious NPB career in Japan. Since then, Yamamoto has repeatedly proven he can summon that mindset in the most critical games, and he brought his best to today's marquee matchup against the New York Yankees.

“He's always pitched well here,” Roberts said. “You know he loves the big stage.”

Yamamoto didn't generate many whiffs in this game—only six in total. But he consistently got ahead, throwing 21 of 30 first-pitch strikes, and displayed exceptional command. His dominant outing ended with a cutter on the low outside corner that froze Jasson Domínguez for a called third strike, ensuring the Dodgers would at least win the opening series of the second half.

This may have been Yamamoto's first regular-season complete game, but the Dodgers can count on him to go deep into games. In 18 starts this season, he has gone at least six innings in all but two. He leads the team with 119.2 total innings pitched, with Justin Wrobleski second at 100.1 innings.

“If you have a player who not only puts you in a winning position but also saves you a ton of pitcher usage,” Roberts said, “that's what top-of-the-rotation starters do.”

Yamamoto posted a first-half resume that earned him a second All-Star selection, and his focus now is building on that solid foundation. As the Dodgers push deeper into their quest for a third consecutive championship, they need their ace at his best to have a chance at accomplishing that feat.

“The most important part of the season is coming,” Yamamoto said. “I'll give it my all.”