The Los Angeles Dodgers survived an absolutely brutal Game 3 of the World Series on Monday. Los Angeles defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in 18 innings, 6-5. The Dodgers used 10 pitchers in the game.
One pitcher who didn't get used was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched a jewel in Game 2. Yamamoto was ready to go however in case the Dodgers needed to play a 19th inning in the game.
“He would have gone as long as we needed,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, per The Athletic. “He would have been the last guy.”
Yamamoto pitched the entire game during the Dodgers' Game 2 victory in the World Series. Roberts says Yamamoto would do anything to help his team, even if that means working on next to no rest.
“It just speaks to guys will do anything to win a championship and they’re laying it out there,” Roberts added.
The Dodgers and Blue Jays play Game 4 on Tuesday. Los Angeles is the defending World Series champion.
Dodgers have gained momentum in the World Series
Los Angeles now leads this year's World Series, 2-1. The Dodgers have taken the last two games, and it appears that the club has the upper hand moving forward.
The 18-innings contest tied the longest game ever played in a World Series. Los Angeles was close to having to put a position player on the mound to pitch. That was part of the reason why Yamamoto was preparing to go if necessary.
“I already think super highly of him,” shortstop Mookie Betts said about Yamamoto. “It just shows the love that is in this locker room. Yoshi going out there is exactly what we have in here. Everybody’s willing to put everything on the line.”
Freddie Freeman hit the game-winning home run in the 18th, to clinch Game 3. It set the exhausted Los Angeles crowd on fire. Freeman posted a whopping seven at-bats in the game, and had struggled up to that point.
The Dodgers hope that Game 4 provides them some more fireworks.
