Saturday, September 6, 2025

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025

One out from having his first major league no-hitter, Yoshinobu Yamamato allowed a solo home run to Jackson Holiday. The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Baltimore Orioles 4-to-3. Either Blake Treinen or Tanner Scott couldn’t get the last out of the game before they allowed three runs. While the Dodgers could have scored more, they had enough runs to win. The Dodgers have a five-game losing streak.

Yoshinobu Yamamato was brilliant for 8.2 innings. He had thrown 112 pitches before Dave Roberts took him out. He had everything working. While he walked two batters, he had perfect command. He struck out ten.

Many Dodger fans will ask why Roberts lifted Yamamoto when he needed an out. Most pitchers throwing a no-hitter lose focus after allowing a hit, and it is easier on a reliever to come in with no runners on base. Roberts wanted to preserve the victory for Yamamoto and his team.

Assuming the Dodgers make the postseason, who will get the last three outs of a possible victory? Roberts trusted Treinen, and he couldn’t find the strike zone. Treinen missed three months with a forearm injury. During this past offseason, the Dodgers gave Tanner Scott a humongous contract to be their closer. Scott has been a bust! While he allowed only three homers in the 2024 season, he has allowed ten homers in the 2025 season.

The Dodgers miss Evan Philips who is out with Tommy John surgery. Alex Vesia is rehabbing in the minor leagues from a strained oblique muscle. He must be good as soon as he returns to the Dodgers, or the team has no chance to win the Western Division.

Although three runs are not a lot, they should have been able to win. The Dodgers faced a good pitcher who limited scoring opportunities, but they will face good pitchers in the playoffs if they get there. Miguel Rojas had two doubles. Kiké Hernandez contributed to the final score. Mookie Betts had two RBI hits.

On Saturday, Davey Johnson passed away at 82. He played 13 years in the major leagues for the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves. He managed in the major leagues for seventeen years. From 1999-2000, he managed the Los Angeles Dodgers. He won a World Championship as a manager with the New York Mets in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Susan, and lost his daughter in the 1990s.

A day after fouling a ball off his shin, Dalton Rushing went on the IL with a bone bruise. The Dodgers promoted Chuckie Robinson to be a backup catcher. During this weekend, Will Smith can’t play because of a bone bruise on his hand. The Dodgers will go with inexperienced catchers.