ST. LOUIS -- Just over a month into the season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is heading into a start looking to bounce back for the first time.
The last time he took the mound on April 27 at Dodger Stadium, Yamamoto had an uncharacteristic lapse in command, striking out four while giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a season-high four walks across five innings against the Marlins. The Dodgers emerged from that contest with a walk-off victory, but it marked the first time in six outings this season that Yamamoto did not toss a quality start.
Yamamoto will look to get back on track on Monday night at Daikin Park, where he'll face the Astros for the first time in his Major League career.
Last time out, shaky command aside, Yamamoto had trouble putting away hitters once he got to two strikes. The 27-year-old right-hander gave up four two-strike hits to the Marlins -- including two for extra bases, which was tied for the most he's allowed in an outing.
"I had both sides, bad and good," Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda afterward. "Sometimes, I was able to control my pitches. On the other hand, I was not able to finish them off in the way I wanted."
Yamamoto gave up four or more runs five times in 30 starts last year, but none of those instances came in back-to-back outings. Even the top pitchers in the game have off nights, and over the past year and change, Yamamoto has shown that he is one of the premier talents in the Majors.