Yamamoto rebounds after shaky start as Dodgers shut out Reds on September 16

Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one hit over seven innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on September 16 at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. The performance came after an uncharacteristic beginning: Yamamoto missed with eight of his first nine pitches, walking the first two Reds batters he faced, the first time in his Major League career he opened a start with back-to-back free passes, per MLB.com.

After those opening two batters, Yamamoto retired 21 of the next 22 Reds batters he faced, striking out seven batters total and allowing only one hard-hit ball in play, per MLB.com reporting. That ball was an Elly De La Cruz double in the bottom of the third, hit at 98.8 mph. Manager Dave Roberts said per MLB.com: "After the first two hitters, it was vintage Yama. Just attacking, not trying to be too fine. Not giving these guys too much credit."

Yamamoto needed only eight pitches to record three quick outs after throwing nine pitches to his first two batters. He induced 16 whiffs on five different pitch types, each kind he threw except for his sinker, per MLB.com. Reds manager Terry Francona said per MLB.com: "You almost have to respect five [pitches]." Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda per MLB.com: "Mentally I was very calm, and then still kept composed, so I was able to make an adjustment on time."

Catcher Hunter Feduccia credited a return to fundamentals, saying per MLB.com: "I think we just went back to just attacking the zone with the fastball, just getting ahead. His stuff's really good, so just getting back in the zone, giving him the confidence to get back in there."

Freddie Freeman collected three hits after sitting out the previous day due to right knee soreness. Freeman said per MLB.com: "It's a special pitching staff. It really is. So as an offense, we just need to score a few runs for them, just like we did last year."

Yamamoto has recorded at least one out in the seventh inning in five consecutive starts and completed the seventh in his past three, per MLB.com reporting. In 10 second-half starts, he has allowed more than two runs only twice, posting a 1.98 ERA that ranks fifth among Major Leaguers with at least 50 innings pitched, according to MLB.com.

The Dodgers can clinch the NL West as soon as September 18 with another win or a San Diego Padres loss, per MLB.com. Blake Snell is scheduled to pitch next as the Dodgers close in on their 13th NL West title in the past 14 seasons, per MLB.com reporting.