Executive summary: Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers came within one out of a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night, but a late home run and subsequent bullpen collapse led to a stunning 4-3 walk-off loss for Los Angeles.
Yamamoto was dominant from the start, pitching 8 2/3 innings of hitless baseball while striking out 10 batters and walking only two. His efficiency was notable, requiring just 36 pitches to get his final 11 outs, and his velocity remained high, hitting 98 mph on his 101st pitch. The right-hander, who signed a 12-year, $325 million deal before the 2024 season, showcased his entire arsenal, including a filthy splitter and sharp curveball. Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt praised Yamamoto’s conviction and execution, noting that he hit his spots consistently throughout the game.
The no-hit bid was broken up with two outs in the ninth inning when Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday launched a solo home run on a 2-1 cutter from Yamamoto. Holliday, who realized in the eighth inning that he might be the one to break up the no-hitter, said he was simply looking for a pitch to hit. The homer came on Yamamoto’s 112th pitch of the night, a season-high, and ended his historic attempt. It was the first time a no-hitter was lost on a two-out ninth-inning home run since Corey Seager did it for the Rangers against the Astros last August.
Following the home run, manager Dave Roberts replaced Yamamoto with reliever Blake Treinen, who immediately struggled. Treinen allowed a double to the first batter he faced, then hit a batter, and walked two, loading the bases without recording an out. A wild pitch during his appearance allowed another run to score, tying the game at 3-3. Roberts later called Treinen’s performance uncharacteristic, noting that he had been reliable in high-pressure situations recently.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Tanner Scott was brought in to pitch for the Orioles, but he surrendered a walk-off single to Emmanuel Rivera, scoring two runs and securing the victory for Baltimore. Rivera expressed that the win was especially meaningful on the 30th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.’s consecutive games played record, adding a layer of symbolism to the comeback. The Orioles, who were no-hit until the final out, celebrated an improbable win that left the Dodgers stunned.
The loss extended the Dodgers’ losing streak to five games and marked their seventh defeat in the last eight contests. Their offense, while collecting 10 hits, managed only three runs, continuing a trend of struggling with runners in scoring position. Mookie Betts contributed an RBI single and an RBI triple, but the team failed to capitalize on opportunities. The Dodgers’ lead in the NL West is now down to one game over the San Diego Padres, who won their game on the same night.
Historically, this game is a rarity, as it is only the ninth time since 1961 that a team has lost after carrying a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings. The Dodgers have been involved in four of those instances, including this one, and are the only franchise to lose twice in such fashion. The last similar occurrence was in September 2023, when the Milwaukee Brewers took a no-hitter into the 11th inning against the New York Yankees but eventually lost.
In the aftermath, players and coaches expressed a mix of frustration and disbelief. Blake Treinen apologized for his performance, stating that he cost Yamamoto one of the best outings he’s ever seen and that Yamamoto deserved better. Dave Roberts acknowledged the tough loss but emphasized the need for the team to regroup and focus on the next game, noting that they cannot feel sorry for themselves.
For the Orioles, the dramatic win provides a positive moment in a season where they hold a 66-76 record. Interim manager Tony Mansolino credited some of Cal Ripken’s magic for the comeback, highlighting the emotional lift. The Dodgers, now 78-64, must address their offensive woes and bullpen reliability as they push for the playoffs, with the division race tightening.