Yoshinobu Yamamoto has nightmare debut with LA Dodgers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after allowing Luis Campusano #12 of the San Diego Padres a RBI double in the 1st inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome (Getty Images)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted just one inning in his Los Angeles Dodgers’ debut after signing a record $325 million, 12-year contract, giving up five runs to the San Diego Padres on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old right-hander trailed 2-0 after nine pitches and needed 43 pitches to get three outs, leaving with a 45.00 ERA.
San Diego batted around, and Michael Grove relieved Yamamoto with the Dodgers trailing 5-1.
Yamamoto allowed four hits, walked one, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. He threw just 23 pitches for strikes, averaging 95.4 mph with his fastball. He tried 14 fastballs, 11 cutters, 10 curveballs and eight splitters.
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Xander Bogaerts singled to left on his first pitch, a 96.6 mph fastball over the heart of the plate. Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a full-count splitter and Jake Cronenworth tripled into the right-field corner for a 2-0 lead.
Manny Machado walked, bringing pitching coach Mark Prior to the mound 15 pitches in.
Ha-Seong Kim hit a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch advanced Machado and Jurickson Profar struck out on an inside cutter.
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Luis Campusano hit a bouncer over third base that got under Max Muncy’s glove and went down the line for an RBI double and a 4-0 lead. Tyler Wade hit a run-scoring single to right and rookie Jackson Merrill struck out on an inside curveball.
The Dodgers allowed five runs in the first inning just one time last season.
Yamamoto was a two-time Pacific League MVP for the Orix Buffaloes. He signed his deal with the Dodgers in December, the largest amount guaranteed to a pitcher.
The Dodgers went on to lose 15-11.