SAN DIEGO -- Two things have given Yoshinobu Yamamoto trouble this year: the first inning, and the long ball.
Both issues reared their head when Padres designated hitter Miguel Andujar took Yamamoto deep for a one-out blast in the first inning of Monday night's series opener in San Diego, but that ended up being the lone run Yamamoto allowed.
Yamamoto struck out eight, walked two and scattered three hits across seven innings, a much-needed bounceback outing after the 27-year-old right-hander was charged with a season-high five runs in his previous start against the Giants. But another recurring issue arose: Yamamoto received no run support, and the Dodgers fell, 1-0, snapping their season-high five-game winning streak.
Opposite Yamamoto, Padres starter Michael King was dealing as well, holding the Dodgers scoreless through seven innings. Two relievers finished the job, with Jason Adam stranding runners on the corners and Mason Miller working around back-to-back walks to hand L.A. its second shutout loss of the season.
Seven of the 21 earned runs Yamamoto has allowed in nine starts this year have come in the first inning. He's surrendered nine homers in 57 innings after holding opponents to 14 homers in 173 2/3 innings last season.
Andujar's solo shot was also the fifth home run Yamamoto has allowed after getting to two strikes this year. He is not alone in that regard, as the Dodgers have given up 20 two-strike homers this year, which is tied for the second most in the Majors behind the Nationals. L.A. surrendered 56 two-strike homers last season.