Yamamoto's Complete Game Lifts Dodgers 5-1, Takes 2-0 NLCS Lead

When Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 26‑year‑old Japanese right‑hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, took the mound at American Family Field on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the atmosphere was electric. The game was part of the 2025 National League Championship SeriesMilwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Dodgers needed more than a win – they needed a statement.

Background and NLCS Context

Game 1 had already set the tone: Blake Snell (32) threw a masterful outing, limiting the Milwaukee Brewers to a single run. That gave Los Angeles a 1‑0 cushion heading into Game 2, but the Brewers were still alive. Their last NLCS appearance was in 2021, and they’d come hungry for redemption.

Game 2 Highlights

The first pitch of the night was a story in itself. Jackson Chourio, the 21‑year‑old Brewers center fielder, launched a solo homer on Yamamoto’s very first offering – a center‑cut fastball that went the opposite way for a 332‑foot blast. The crowd roared, but the Dodgers answered in the second inning.

Designated hitter Teoscar Hernández ripped a 106 mph solo shot off starter Freddy Peralta, his fourth postseason homer and the 10th RBI of his postseason run. The swing was textbook, sending a ball into the left‑field seats that seemed to linger in the air.

After that, momentum shifted. Dodgers left fielder Kiké Hernández singled, and rookie outfielder Andy Pages – who entered the postseason with a .091 batting average – busted a double that scored the lead runner. It was a glimpse of the talent that had been hiding in the shadows all season.

Pitching Duel: Yamamoto vs. Peralta

Yamamoto’s line read like a textbook: nine innings, one run, four hits, seven strikeouts. The only blemish was that early solo homer, but he never looked rattled. Broadcast analyst Mike Gorman called his command “impeccable all night long.” The eighth inning was a gallery of smooth pitches – a fastball that sat on the corners, a cutter that chased the batters’ hands, and a changeup that dropped off the table.

Peralta, on the other hand, lasted just 3.2 innings. He gave up four runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out four. The Dodgers took advantage of his early fatigue, piling on runs while the Brewers scrambled to find a bullpen that could stop the bleed. In total, Milwaukee used five relievers, including a brief cameo by Robert Gasser, who threw a perfect 0.2‑inning stint before the game was essentially over.

Dodgers' Offensive Spark

Beyond the two early homers, the Dodgers manufactured runs with gritty, small‑ball baseball. Shortstop Tommy Edmond delivered an RBI single with the bases loaded in the seventh, pushing the score to 5‑1. His swing was unceremonious, but the ball found the right spot, slipping through the infield as the defense tried to shift.

In the ninth, first baseman Freddie Freeman added a hustle double after a two‑out walk. It wasn’t a game‑changing hit, but it capped off a night where every contribution mattered.

What This Means for the Series

Two games, two runs allowed – the Dodgers’ rotation is looking like a Wall Street hedge fund: low‑risk, high‑reward. Manager Dave Roberts kept Yamamoto on for the ninth, a move that paid off handsomely. The decision defied the conventional wisdom of pulling a pitcher with a three‑run lead, but it underscored Roberts’ confidence in his ace.

For the Brewers, the loss puts them in a 0‑2 hole. Manager Pat Murphy will have to decide whether to ride Peralta again or turn to his bullpen early. The series now follows a 2‑3‑2 format, meaning the Dodgers could clinch the pennant in Milwaukee if they win Games 3 and 4. Even if the series heads back to Los Angeles for Games 5‑7, the psychological edge belongs to the Dodgers.

Looking Ahead to Game 3

Game 3 rolls into Dodger Stadium on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 8:07 PM Pacific. The home crowd will be expecting fireworks, and the Dodgers will likely start right‑hander Gavin Stone. If the pattern holds, the Brewers will need a heroic pitching performance and a burst of offense to stay alive.

One thing’s for sure: Yamamoto’s complete game isn’t just a stat line; it’s a statement that the Dodgers are serious about bringing another World Series trophy back to Los Angeles. The next few days will tell whether the Brewers can rewrite the script or if the Dodgers will keep writing theirs.