Los Angeles Dodgers’ starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto made an insane catch during Thursday’s 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals. During the bottom of the fifth inning, Yamamoto showed off his cat-like reflexes as he managed to catch a 104.8-mph line drive coming toward his head from Nationals’ Eddie Rosario. This was not just an incredible display of athletics and aesthetics, it saved Yamamoto from what could have potentially been an incredibly dangerous hit to the head.
This was one of the many great plays Yamamoto made from the mound Thursday, when he allowed zero runs while pitching six innings against the Nationals. Yamamoto finished the game allowing four hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters.
This is the third game of the season in which Yamamoto has not allowed a run, and his first since April 6. Overall, Yamamoto has a 3.54 ERA and 37 strikeouts through seven games started for the Dodgers. He’s come into form as the Dodgers No. 2 starter after beginning the season with a rough start against the San Diego Padres. In that game, played in March in in Seoul, Yamamoto gave up five earned runs and did return for the game’s second inning.
With this win, the Dodgers have moved to 16-11 on the season. The Dodgers came into this week riding a rough stretch in which the bottom of their lineup struggled and the team lost three straight games at one point. While the Dodgers’ lineup was not dominant Thursday, Yamamoto stepped up and helped Los Angeles sweep the Nationals in this road series.
Next, the Dodgers head to Toronto for a three-game series against the Blue Jays, starting on Friday.
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