Yamamoto Yoshinobu has teamed up with the rookie catcher for three consecutive quality starts, expressing, "I really like him."

After dropping the first two games of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers managed a narrow 5-4 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 1st, thanks to ace Yamamoto Yoshinobu and Will Smith’s pinch-hit walk-off homer. Although Yamamoto’s win was spoiled, he said postgame that he felt great and highly praised rookie catcher Dalton Rushing.

Yamamoto demonstrated elite dominance in this game, pitching 7 innings with only 98 pitches, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, striking out 10 batters without issuing any walks. The Dodgers scored early in the first inning through a connection between Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, then extended their lead in the fifth inning with timely hits from Miguel Rojas and Andy Pages. Yamamoto left the game leading 4-1 but the bullpen faltered again.

In the top of the 8th inning, reliever Tanner Scott gave up consecutive hits after two outs, culminating in a three-run homer by Diamondbacks’ star Corbin Carroll, wiping out what would have been Yamamoto’s 12th win. This marked Scott’s third time this season to ruin Yamamoto’s potential victories, drawing boos and jeers from the crowd.

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the 9th when the Dodgers sent Will Smith to pinch hit. He capitalized on a mistake fastball from the opposing pitcher, launching a walk-off solo home run to left field, instantly electrifying the stadium atmosphere and securing a 5-4 win, preventing a series sweep.

After the game, Yamamoto spoke about working with rookie catcher Rushing for three straight games, all quality starts, generously praising him: "He’s smart and passionate, gives me a lot of advice, and I really like him. A catcher’s role is not just calling pitches but guiding the pitcher, which makes me trust and rely on him a lot." Although he didn’t get credited with the win, Yamamoto emphasized feeling in great form, with a good mix of fastballs and breaking balls, saying, "I felt very comfortable."