When Yoshinobu Yamamoto, starting pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers, took the mound at National League Championship Series Game 2Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California on Tuesday night, the stakes were crystal clear: protect a 2024 World Series title and become the first defending champion to reach the Fall Classic since the 2009 Phillies. The Dodgers held a 1‑0 lead after the first inning, but a soaring home run by Enrique Hernández tied the game, setting the tone for a nail‑biting 2‑1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, Inc. and putting Los Angeles up 2‑0 in the best‑of‑seven series.
Series backdrop and why Game 2 mattered
Both clubs entered the NLCS riding historic seasons. The Dodgers, fresh off a 2024 World Series win, boasted a rotation that posted a 1.54 ERA across eight playoff wins, featuring Japanese two‑way phenom Shohei Ohtani and veterans Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Meanwhile, the Brewers, under owner Mark Attanasio and manager Pat Murphy, had turned a 0‑4 early‑season slump into a franchise‑record 97 wins and a third straight NL Central crown. After dispatching the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS, Milwaukee was eager to shed a six‑series postseason losing streak.
Play‑by‑play: How the Dodgers clinched Game 2
The opening frame saw Yamamoto surrender a solo homer to the Brewers’ rookie center‑fielder Jackson Chourio, putting Milwaukee on the board. Yamamoto quickly settled, recording three straight outs to keep the deficit to one run.
The second inning delivered the drama. With the bases empty and one out, Hernández—who’s of Puerto Rican‑Venezuelan descent—crushed a curveball deep into the second deck of Dodger Stadium. Broadcasters noted it was one of only six fly balls ever to clear that level, and it marked Hernández’s fourth postseason homer and his tenth RBI of the playoffs, knoting the Dodgers 1‑1 tie.
Defensive quirks followed. A routine grounder to first‑baseman Freddie Freeman (not a primary entity, so left unmarked) ricocheted into a netting barrier, momentarily stalling play before Freeman retrieved the ball and threw to second. That odd bounce allowed the Brewers’ rookie Jacob Misiorowski to stay safe, but the Dodgers escaped with the inning unscored.
Yamamoto then fanned Caleb Durbin on a called third strike, sealing the second out. The inning wrapped when Mookie Betts, the Dodgers’ dynamic right fielder, snagged a short hop and turned it into a quick out, preserving the 1‑1 balance heading into the later frames.
The winning run materialized in the seventh. After a leadoff single, the Dodgers loaded the bases with a sacrifice bunt. A clutch single by Mookie Betts drove in the go‑ahead run, and Yamamoto’s poise on the mound held the Brewers to a solitary run in the ninth, sealing a 2‑1 win.
Key performances that shaped the outcome
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six innings, yielding just one run on two hits, striking out eight and walking none—a line that dropped his postseason ERA to a sparkling 1.35.
- Enrique Hernández’s power surge continued, his homer traveling an estimated 425 feet, a clear indicator of his postseason hot streak.
- Mookie Betts contributed both offensively and defensively, adding a run‑producing single and a game‑saving play at the wall.
- Jackson Chourio’s early homer reminded everyone why Milwaukee’s young core is dangerous, even if the Brewers fell short.
Reactions from the dugout and the broadcast booth
After the final out, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts praised Yamamoto’s composure: “He showed why we trust him in the big moments. Six solid innings, no drama.” Meanwhile, Brewers’ skipper Pat Murphy stayed measured, noting, “We fought hard. We’ll regroup and look for the next opportunity.”
Christian Yelich, the Brewers’ 2018 NL MVP, reflected in post‑game interviews: “We aren’t that far. Not as far as it seems. I still believe one day that’s going to be us out there.” His optimism underscored Milwaukee’s belief that a series win was still within reach.
Implications: Why this win mattered in the larger picture
By stretching the series lead to 2‑0, the Dodgers positioned themselves just one win away from making history as the first defending champion to book a World Series berth in 16 years. For Milwaukee, the loss heightened pressure on a young roster that had already broken a franchise‑long postseason series losing streak.
The victory also reinforced the Dodgers’ pitching depth. With Yamamoto delivering a masterclass, the rotation’s collective 1.54 ERA became a benchmark that other teams struggled to match throughout the postseason.
What’s next: Game 3 preview and possible storylines
Game 3, set for Thursday, October 16, promises a chance for the Brewers to claw back. Expect a strategic matchup between Yamamoto and Brewers’ ace Corbin Burnes (not marked as primary) and a test of whether Hernández can sustain his power surge. If Milwaukee can generate early runs, they could force a decisive Game 4 on the West Coast.
Should the Dodgers clinch in Game 4, they’ll aim to become the first team since the 1998‑2000 Yankees to win back‑to‑back World Series titles, a narrative that will dominate baseball talk heading into the Fall Classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Dodgers’ Game 2 win affect the Brewers’ chances of reaching the World Series?
Falling behind 2‑0 puts Milwaukee in a must‑win situation. They must win three straight to force a Game 6, which is statistically unlikely in a best‑of‑seven series. Their young core, led by Jackson Chourio, will need to capitalize on every scoring opportunity and rely on strong pitching from Corbin Burnes to stay alive.
What made Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s performance stand out in Game 2?
Yamamoto delivered six solid innings, allowing just one run on two hits, striking out eight batters and walking none. His ability to bounce back after surrendering a solo homer in the first inning demonstrated poise that kept the Dodgers in the game and shifted momentum in their favor.
Why is Enrique Hernández’s home run considered a key moment?
The blast not only erased the Brewers’ early lead but also marked Hernández’s fourth postseason homer, tying the game at 1‑1. It showcased his power against a quality starter and lifted the Dodgers’ morale heading into the later innings.
What historical significance does a Dodgers win in this series hold?
If Los Angeles clinches the NLCS, they become the first defending champion to reach the World Series since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies, and they position themselves to potentially break the 23‑year drought for back‑to‑back titles, a feat last achieved by the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees.
When and where will Game 3 be played?
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The matchup will feature the same rotation starters, with the Dodgers hoping to close the series and the Brewers fighting to stay alive.
Write a comment