Sports · Baseball · 1 hr ago
Yamamoto leaves early after two disputed calls in Dodgers loss
Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed three runs before leaving in the third inning as the Dodgers lost 7-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.
The game was played in Milwaukee on October 12, local time.
Two close pitches to Brewers batter Brice Turang were called balls, one in the first inning and another in the third.
An analysis by Umpire Scorecards said the calls favored Milwaukee by 1.11 runs, though it rated umpire Chris Segal's overall accuracy at 96 percent.
The calls were followed by a double and a walk, and Yamamoto later gave up a two-run single before being taken out.
Catcher Will Smith did not challenge either call using the ABS system, which lets teams appeal ball-and-strike decisions.
Smith said he was not sure the second pitch had finished inside the strike zone.
The Dodgers lost with both challenges still unused, leaving the calls and the decision not to appeal as a focus after the game.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto left in the third inning after allowing three runs in the Dodgers’ 7-4 loss to the Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.
The defeat put Los Angeles 0-2 in the series.
Two close calls involving catcher Will Smith’s decision not to request an automated ball-strike review drew attention.
Smith said he was not sure whether one pitch had crossed the strike zone.
Former player Chris Young said Yamamoto showed signs of fatigue before Christian Yelich’s go-ahead two-run hit.
- Who
- Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith were involved in the disputed calls.
- What
- Yamamoto allowed three runs and left before completing the third inning in a 7-4 loss. Smith did not request an ABS review on two close pitches.
- When
- October 12, 2026, local time; October 13 in Japan.
- Where
- American Family Field in Milwaukee.
- Why
- The sources say Yamamoto gave up a two-run hit to Christian Yelich with two outs and the bases loaded. Smith said he was not certain one close pitch had entered the strike zone.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Smith did not request an ABS review on a close pitch to Brice Turang, who later hit a double that contributed to Milwaukee’s scoring.
Smith again did not request a review on a close pitch to Turang, who walked; Yamamoto later gave up Yelich’s two-run hit and left the game.
The Brewers beat the Dodgers 7-4 in Game 2, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
Smith explained his decision on the close pitch, saying he was unsure whether it had crossed the zone.
Chris Young said Yamamoto appeared fatigued before Yelich’s at-bat but acknowledged the difficulty of removing him.
- Final score
- Brewers 7, Dodgers 4
- Series score
- Brewers lead 2-0
- Yamamoto’s outing
- 2⅔ innings, 3 runs, 4 hits, 75 pitches
- ABS calls
- Smith did not challenge two close pitches to Brice Turang
- Decisive hit
- Christian Yelich’s two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded
5 sources
What people are saying
I couldn't be sure.
It was early in the game. I thought I could get the out because I had him down to two strikes.
I would say, ‘Good night,’ and take him out one batter earlier. Before Yelich comes to the plate.
But it’s an extremely difficult decision for Dave Roberts to take Yamamoto out before Yelich’s at-bat.