yamamoto’s 9-inning shutout sends Dodgers past Toronto to clinch 2025 World Series

MLB World Series Game 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers evened the series behind the dominant pitching of their ace. the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1in Game 2 of the 2025 MLB World Serieson October 26 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. Behind a dazzling complete-game performance from starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a game-winning home run from Will Smith, the Dodgers avenged their Game 1 loss and head home to Dodger Stadium with a 1-1 series lead.

ace in the hole: yamamoto completes 24-year wait for a no-hitter

the hero of the game was undoubtedly starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who shut down Toronto’s powerhouse offense for four hits, eight walks, and one run on just 105 pitches over nine innings. He was particularly dominant from the fourth through the ninth innings, when he pitched a “perfect” game in which he didn’t allow a single runner to reach base.

with the complete game victory, Yamamoto became the first pitcher since Game 2 of the National League Championship Series to complete two consecutive postseason games, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in 24 years since Curt Schilling in 2001, and the first for the Dodgers since Orel Hershiser in 1988. it was a complete game ace that single-handedly lifted the team off the mound after the collapse of Game 1 starter Blake Snell.

will Smith’s game-winning hit for the Dodgers in the seventh inning

with the score tied 1-1 in the top of the seventh inning behind Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ savior was No. 4 hitter Will Smith, who broke the tie with a solo home run over the left field wall off Kevin Gausman. He followedthat up with a back-to-back home run off MaxMuncy to set the tone, and then added two more runs in the top of the eighth to put the game out of reach. On the day, Smith went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, including the game-winning home run.

kike, the ‘fall guy,’ makes Dodgers history

meanwhile, Kike“The Fall Guy” Hernandez, who started at second base on the day, played in his 87th career postseason game, passing Bill Russell for the most postseason appearances in Dodgers franchise history.