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Yoshinobu Yamamoto chased early, Dodgers fall into two-game hole after Game 2 NLCS loss

The Dodgers’ postseason hopes took a sharp turn after Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s early exit in Game 2 of the NLCS, as Milwaukee seized a commanding 2-0 series lead with a 7-4 victory. Yamamoto, who had thrown a complete-game shutout against the Brewers just one year prior, lasted only 2⅔ innings this time, surrendering three runs and four hits while facing chants from the American Family Field crowd.

The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled to contain the Brewers’ offense, while Milwaukee’s own relievers stifled Los Angeles with five straight hitless innings, limiting the Dodgers to just three hits on the night. The loss deepened a two-game hole for the Dodgers, who now trail in the best-of-seven series and must win four of the next five games to advance to the World Series with home-field advantage in the remaining matchups.

The Brewers’ offense got off to a quick start, with Christian Yelich’s two-run single sparking the early lead, while the Dodgers’ lineup failed to capitalize on key scoring opportunities. Teoscar Hernández, moved up in the batting order, delivered a crucial sacrifice fly to cut the deficit, but the Brewers answered immediately with a pair of extra-base hits.

Meanwhile, Logan Henderson, the Brewers’ 24-year-old star, held the Dodgers to just two earned runs in his start, though Los Angeles took advantage of defensive miscues to score four unearned runs. Manager Dave Roberts’ strategic adjustments, including shifting Hernández and Will Smith in the lineup, proved insufficient as the Brewers’ bullpen locked down the win, setting the stage for a high-stakes return to Los Angeles.

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