Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed just two runs while striking out nine over 6 1/3 innings, but didn’t qualify for a decision Friday against the Pirates.
Yamamoto left with a 4-2 lead, but he doesn’t get the win — even though the Dodgers did — because the Los Angeles bullpen couldn’t hold that cushion. The 28-year-old has whiffed 21 hitters over his last two outings, and his ERA is now a healthy 2.61 on the season. Yamamoto has established himself as one of the very best hurlers in baseball, and he’ll look to continue the good run next weekend against the Tigers in Detroit.