Dodgers Recap: Yamamoto Sharp as Dodgers Stomp Halos

TEMPE, AZ — Well, the Dodgers didn’t waste much time in announcing that they have no intention of taking their foot off the gas pedal in 2026. They jumped all over crosstown rivals the Los Angeles (in Orange County) Angels with nine runs in the first two frames of the ballgame before coasting to a comfortable 15-2 victory.

As with all Cactus League games, especially early in the spring, the Dodger regulars got their at bats and bolted, leaving most of the game to prospects. However, while they were still in there, the Dodger starters put on quite a show. Teoscar Hernandez was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Andy Pages went 2-for-3 including a run-scoring triple. Hyeseong Kim continues to look good early, as he went 2-for-3 as well, driving in three runs. In fact, the only starter that didn’t knock the ball around the yard on Saturday was Shohei Ohtani, who only had an infield single to show for his three at-bats.

But of course, lighting up the marquee of this contest was the return to the mound of last year’s World Series MVP, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who got the first start of the spring. He pitched only 1.2 innings, but made the most of his time on the mound. In the first inning, he sent the Angels down in order, sandwiching strikeouts of Zach Neto and Yoan Moncada around a groundout.

Things didn’t go quite as well in the second. After sitting for a good long time while the Dodgers put up a six-spot in the top of the frame, Yoshi had a little trouble locating his pitches. He fell behind the powerful Jorge Soler 3-1 before surrendering a double. Then, Teoscar Hernandez had trouble with a flyball to left and his error on the play allowed Soler to score an unearned run. One out later, Logan O’Hoppe belted a single to left that scored the Angel’s second run of the inning, this one earned. After another single, Yamamoto faced one more batter before being yanked as he hit 30 pitches on the afternoon.

It wasn’t flawless, but it was a very good start for Yama: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. He threw the aforementioned 30 pitches and landed 22 of them for strikes. For the first start of spring, we’ll definitely take it.

Yamamoto said that he’s planning to pitch once more for the Dodgers next week before heading to Tokyo to join Samurai Japan. And if you want to see him pitch over there, you’re going to need to set your alarm.

So we’re off. Dodgers curb-stomp the Angels. Yamamoto picks up where he left off. All is right with the world. The Dodgers’ Cactus League schedule continues on Sunday with another rivalry game, as they head to Peoria, AZ to face off against the Padres at their facility. More fun ahead. We might not recap every game this spring, but rest assured, we at DodgersBeat are on the case. Stay tuned for more great Dodgers content from now all the way to Opening Day and beyond!

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