Friday, October 11, 2024

History made in Game 5 between the Dodgers and Padres


Yoshimobu Yamomoto, left, beat Yu Darvish in the deciding game between the Dodgers and Padres.


History was made Friday night when the two opposing pitchers took the mound in the National League's Divisional  playoff game between baseball's San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The historic nature of the baseball game might have gone unnoticed by most fans who were not Asian American. With Padres' Yu Darvish and the Dodgers' Yoshimobu Yamamoto pitching for their respective teams, it was the first time two Japanese-born pitchers started an MLB playoff game.

The game was the final game of a five-game series that was tied 2-2. 

Yamamoto, 26, signed with the Dodgers during the off-season. As a rookie, he finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and 3.00 ERA in 18 starts.

It is the 12th season for the 38-year old Darvish. He went 7-3 for the season with a 3.31 ERA across 16 starts in 2024.


Yamamoto's first start in the series was a disaster, being pulled after giving up five runs in just three inning. Seeking redemption Yamomoto was masterful as he tossed five scoreless innings with relative ease, scattering two hits and a walk.

Except for two pitches that went the distance at Dodger Stadium, it could be argued that Darvish was almost as good on the mound.

Those two mistakes by Darvish ended up as the final score: Dodgers 2, Padres 0.

With the victory, the Dodgers advance to the National League Championship against the New York Mets with the first game slated for Sunday. The winner of that best-of -even series will go to the World Series.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on or at the blog Views From the Edge.



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