Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s stellar six innings without allowing a run contribute to the Dodgers finishing a sweep of the Nationals.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto showcased his best performance in the major leagues on Thursday afternoon, a marked improvement from his inconsistent outings earlier in the season. The main culprit behind his struggles was identified: his fastball command, a skill praised during his successful career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, had been lacking. Despite being touted as his strongest asset, Yamamoto’s ability to precisely place his fastball, avoiding the middle of the strike zone, had been missing. This deficiency had contributed to his 4.50 ERA over his initial five starts. Prior to the Dodgers’ matchup against the Washington Nationals, manager Dave Roberts addressed this issue, emphasizing the importance of Yamamoto’s fastball command for the upcoming game.

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In the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory at Nationals Park, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered precisely what was expected: a flawless six-inning performance, allowing only four hits while striking out seven. He demonstrated his pinpoint control by consistently hitting the corners of the strike zone with mid-90 mph fastballs, rarely leaving any pitches near the center of the plate. Manager Dave Roberts praised Yamamoto’s ability to shut down hitters when he executes his pitches effectively. Despite the Dodgers’ offensive struggles, Yamamoto’s dominance was crucial in securing the series sweep. He didn’t surrender a hit until the third inning and managed to keep multiple baserunners off the board until the sixth. The only significant scare came when Eddie Rosario hit a 105 mph comebacker that narrowly missed Yamamoto’s face in the fifth inning.

Roberts chuckled as he recounted Yamamoto’s quip about almost meeting his demise, shared during a brief mound visit to ensure his well-being. Despite the humorous moment, it served as a chance for Yamamoto to reset amidst the game. However, beyond his quick reflexes, it was the consistent performance of Yamamoto’s fastball that anchored his impressive outing.

Out of the 40 times he threw the pitch, 17 resulted in either a swing-and-miss or a called strike, aided by some favorable calls from home plate umpire Brian Walsh. Additionally, six pitches were fouled off, and unlike previous games where opponents capitalized on poorly located four-seamers, Yamamoto limited hits off the pitch to just one.

Catcher Austin Barnes noted Yamamoto’s strong fastball during warm-ups, expressing confidence in its location and velocity. This forced hitters to adjust their timing, unable to solely anticipate off-speed pitches due to the threat of the fastball.

Yamamoto’s precise fastball placement enabled him to consistently gain an advantage in the count, putting him in a favorable position to finish batters off with his assortment of secondary pitches. This precision also played a role in keeping his pitch count manageable, ultimately allowing him to pitch through the sixth inning for the second game in a row, a feat he hadn’t accomplished in his first four MLB appearances.

Yamamoto, speaking through his interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda, acknowledged that his recent performance was indeed his best thus far. However, it’s worth noting that the Nationals, who are currently in a rebuilding phase with a record of 10-14, don’t boast a particularly formidable lineup. The previous evening, another rookie, Landon Knack, who is a mid-tier prospect, held the Nationals to just two runs over six innings in a very different type of outing.

Nonetheless, Yamamoto’s approach appeared significantly enhanced on Thursday, showcasing precise command that could serve as a blueprint for success in future major league outings.

“When he hits his spots,” Roberts remarked, “his fastball becomes a weapon at an elite level.”

Crucially, this improvement brings Yamamoto closer to the elite starting pitcher status anticipated when he inked his record-breaking contract this past winter.

Walker Buehler’s stint in the AAA ballpark in Albuquerque, affectionately dubbed the “moon” by Roberts, has come to an end after his fifth rehab outing with the Dodgers’ Oklahoma City affiliate on Wednesday.

However, the timeline for Buehler’s return to the Dodgers remains uncertain, as stated by the manager. Despite facing challenges due to the high altitude in Albuquerque, which affected his performance on Wednesday night with seven hits and five runs (three earned), Buehler managed to pitch into the fifth inning, throwing a season-high 86 pitches.

Roberts acknowledged the expected difficulties of pitching at altitude but praised Buehler for his endurance and pitch count. The Dodgers plan to reassess Buehler’s status on Thursday to determine whether he requires another rehab start or is prepared to return to the majors following his Tommy John surgery in 2022.