Yamamoto falters in final start of stellar 1st half; won't pitch in ASG

LOS ANGELES -- Even with Yoshinobu Yamamoto's high standards for himself, the 27-year-old ace had to be pleased with his overall first-half performance, even though it ended with a dud.

Yamamoto gave up an MLB career-high-tying six earned runs across six innings against the D-backs in Saturday night's 9-2 loss at Dodger Stadium. He struck out six, but he also matched his season high with four walks -- one of which was intentional -- which did not do him any favors.

The Dodgers needed their ace to go deep after running a bullpen game in Friday's 9-3 loss -- as a result of Shohei Ohtani being scratched from his pitching start -- and Yamamoto delivered on that front. But he was tagged for five runs in his final inning, capped by a James McCann three-run homer that put L.A. on the wrong side of a blowout.

"The homer from McCann, it was a two-seamer in off the plate, and got beat on it, but strong enough to get out of the ballpark," manager Dave Roberts said. "So, very unique. Obviously, changed his line from a quality start to not-a-great start. … [It] happens. He still had a really, really, really good first half."

While he endured a disappointing end to his first half, Yamamoto put together a strong body of work. He went 9-6 with a 2.85 ERA with 106 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP in 110 2/3 innings. Thirteen of his 17 outings have been quality starts.

"Overall, there's good outings," Yamamoto said of his first-half performance, through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. "And also physically, condition-wise, it's been good. And I hope that I can carry this into the second half."

The performance earned Yamamoto his second career All-Star nod, although Roberts said beforehand that the right-hander will not be available for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

Roberts, who is managing the National League squad, was complimentary of how Yamamoto has dealt with a heavy workload in his career as a Dodger. Last year, Yamamoto pitched 173 2/3 regular-season innings, then threw another 37 1/3 in the postseason. He also pitched for Samurai Japan in this year's World Baseball Classic.

"He just continues to be consistent," Roberts said before Saturday's game. "Not surprised. Just really impressed with him. … We don’t have a lot of 'pen availability, so for him to take the baseball is huge. And then he’ll get a week off.

Of course, Yamamoto is no stranger to pitching on short rest.

The 2025 World Series MVP etched himself into baseball lore with a Herculean effort last October, throwing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the Dodgers’ thrilling 5-4, 11-inning triumph in Game 7 of the World Series -- on zero days’ rest.

Yamamoto had pitched six innings the night prior in a Game 6 win. He had also warmed in the bullpen during Game 3 after throwing a complete game two days before in Game 2.

Of course, the Midsummer Classic is not quite as high-stakes as the World Series. The Dodgers decided that when it comes to their ace, they'd rather have Yamamoto save his arm for the games that matter most.

This marks the second straight year that Yamamoto will be going to the All-Star Game without being available to pitch.

"I'm looking forward to it," Yamamoto said. "It would be better if I was able to pitch … because I [would] enjoy the atmosphere, and the whole show."

In back-to-back years, the schedule has not worked out in Yamamoto's favor. But if he continues to perform like he did overall in the first half, then he should have opportunities to take the Midsummer Classic mound for years to come.