Dodgers hold off Yankees for 2-0 World Series lead, but lose Ohtani to injury
CBC
The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-0 World Series lead Saturday night after defeating the New York Yankees 4-2.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one hit over 6 1/3 innings, Freddie Freeman homered for the second straight night and Los Angeles hit three early longballs off Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.
But Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani partially dislocated his left shoulder during the seventh inning when he tried to steal second base.
Ohtani's status for Monday's Game 3 in New York is unclear. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani "had a little left shoulder subluxation" and would get image testing either Saturday night or Sunday.
Ohtani clutched his left forearm after being tagged by shortstop Anthony Volpe for the final out in the inning on a feet-first slide. He laid near the bag for a couple minutes before being tended to by trainers and leaving the field.
"We'll know more in the next couple of days," Roberts said. "The strength was great. The range of motion good, so we're encouraged. But obviously I can't speculate because don't get the scans yet. So once we have the scans, we'll know more."
Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez also went deep for the Dodgers.
After the Yankees closed to 4-2 on Giancarlo Stanton's RBI single in the ninth against Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia relieved with the bases loaded and retired pinch-hitter Jose Trevino on a first-pitch flyout for the save.
Yamamoto allowed Juan Soto's third-inning homer, then retired his last 11 batters and 15 of his final 16.
Soto also singled in the ninth and scored on Stanton's one-out hit off the third-base bag. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Treinen then struck out Anthony Volpe before Vesia relieved.
Forty-five of 56 teams holding 2-0 World Series leads have gone on to win the title.
New York's Aaron Judge went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and is hitting .150 with six RBIs and 19 strikeouts in 40 post-season at-bats.
Soto's tying homer on an inside fastball was the only run Yamamoto allowed in two starts and 13 1/3 innings against the Yankees this year. The rookie left to a large ovation and gave the very slightest tip of his cap to fans when he walked to the dugout.
Yamamoto joined the Dodgers last December for a $325 million, 12-year contract, a record for pitchers, teaming with Ohtani to create record interest in Major League Baseball back in Japan.
