LOS ANGELES - Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up six runs over six innings to pick up the loss as the Los Angeles Dodgers were routed 9-2 by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, while his manager ruled him out of pitching in the All-Star Game.
Yamamoto (9-6) surrendered his most runs of the year so far on five hits and four walks in a 103-pitch effort at Dodger Stadium, yielding the game's opening run on a grounder with runners on the corners in the fourth inning before enduring a five-run sixth.
Again with two on and one out, Yamamoto surrendered the second run on a sacrifice fly before Tim Tawa's RBI double and James McCann's three-run home run, both off the right-hander's sinker, gave the Diamondbacks a 6-0 lead.
It ended a run of five straight quality starts from Yamamoto as last year's World Series MVP ended the first half of the season with a 2.85 ERA after starting 17 games, with 13 of them quality starts.
"It wasn't terribly bad as a whole," Yamamoto said of his latest outing. "I walked the first batter (in the sixth) and that led to the runs. There's still half a season to go and I'll be pulling my sleeves up to give my best."
Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said before the game that his Japanese ace will not be taking the mound for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
After missing out on the occasion in his MLB debut season in 2024, Yamamoto has been named to the All-Star Game for two years in a row. But he is set to skip the clash for the second time due to his pitching rotation with the Dodgers.
"It would have been best if I could pitch, but it wasn't possible given the schedule," said Yamamoto, who nonetheless will be travelling to Philadelphia. "I look forward to enjoying the atmosphere."
Masataka Yoshida had a two-run shot for his third homer of the season as the Boston Red Sox blanked the New York Mets 4-0 for their eighth straight victory, while Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single as the Chicago Cubs came from behind to beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3.
