Yoshinobu Yamamoto once again took full charge, pitching a complete game victory as the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays to even the series.

In the second game of the MLB World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers, after losing the first game, remained on the road facing the Toronto Blue Jays. Yamamoto delivered another complete 9-inning outing with 8 strikeouts and just one run allowed, leading the Dodgers to a vital 5-1 victory that evened the series at 1-1.

During the opening inning, Shohei Ohtani, falling behind quickly in the count, was compelled to swing and ended up flying out deep to left field. Mookie Betts also hit a fly ball caught by the outfield, while Freddie Freeman capitalized on Kevin Gausman’s signature splitter to hit a double. Will Smith followed with a single through the infield, giving the Dodgers the first run. Teoscar Hernández struck out, halting the Blue Jays’ momentum.

The Blue Jays responded swiftly as leadoff hitter George Springer took advantage of a mistake pitch from Yamamoto, hitting a long ball. Nathan Lukes then added a fortunate single, setting up runners on first and third with no outs. However, Yamamoto quickly regained control, retiring the next three batters to escape the scoring threat.

When the Dodgers came up to bat again, Max Muncy, Enrique Hernández, and Tommy Edman all failed to produce hits, as Gausman retired three consecutive batters.

Yamamoto used 23 pitches in the first inning and had a chance to retire Ernie Clement with one pitch, but Freeman’s defensive error allowed the batter to reach safely. Nevertheless, Yamamoto struck out Addison Barger, induced an out on a fly ball from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and finally relied on defense to retire Andrés Giménez.

In the top of the third inning, Dodgers batters continued to struggle against Gausman. Andy Pages hit a weak grounder and was out, Ohtani was suppressed by fastballs and flew out foul, and Betts grounded out to shortstop.

After gradually suppressing the Dodgers’ offense, the Blue Jays mounted another attack. Springer reached base on a hit-by-pitch, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a deep fly single, placing runners on first and third. This time, the Blue Jays capitalized as Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, Freeman hit a deep fly on the first pitch but was caught due to insufficient distance. Smith also hit a high fly ball that was harmlessly caught, and Teoscar Hernández struck out again on a splitter. In the bottom of the fourth, Yamamoto recorded his first perfect inning of the game.

As the game reached the fifth inning, a pitching duel ensued. The Dodgers still couldn’t make solid contact against Gausman, who retired three batters in a row, marking 13 consecutive outs for the Dodgers. Yamamoto also shined, retiring seven straight Blue Jays hitters.

During the Dodgers’ third offensive turn, Gausman maintained his dominance over the top of the lineup. Along with the previous inning’s ninth batter Andy Pages, Ohtani and Betts all flew out after just a few pitches, showing great efficiency. Yamamoto also settled in, preventing the Blue Jays from reaching base.

In the top of the seventh inning, with one out, Smith suddenly broke through, hitting a solo home run off Gausman’s inside fastball to put the Dodgers ahead. Muncy followed with a opposite-field solo homer, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1.

In the bottom half, after two outs, the Blue Jays sent in pinch hitter Bo Bichette to replace Kiner-Falefa, who ultimately grounded out to shortstop. In the top of the eighth, the Dodgers tried to widen their lead. Andy Pages, who had struggled throughout the postseason, hit a single through the infield, followed by a strong broken-bat hit from Ohtani. After Betts drew a walk, the Blue Jays changed pitchers, bringing in closer Jeff Hoffman to replace Louis Varland.

With the bases loaded, Hoffman threw a wild pitch while facing Freeman, allowing the Dodgers to score another run. The Blue Jays then intentionally walked Freeman, but Smith reached base on a fielder’s choice, driving in a run and pushing the score to 5-1. However, Teoscar Hernández struck out for the fourth time in the game, leaving runners on first and third to end the half-inning.

Supported by his teammates’ offense, Yamamoto grew more dominant, striking out three consecutive batters in the bottom of the eighth and retiring 17 straight Blue Jays hitters. He continued pitching in the ninth without giving the Blue Jays any chance, leading his team to a 5-1 victory and successfully leveling the series.

The third game between the two teams will move to the Dodgers’ home field and take place at 8 a.m. Beijing time on October 28, with expected starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow facing Max Scherzer.