For Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it took exactly 26 career starts for him to give up a Grand Slam at the MLB level.

More precisely, the four-run dinger surrendered Thursday by Yamamoto came 133 innings into his big-league tenure. Throughout that same sample size, the Japanese hurler has showcased a dazzling 1.054 WHIP.

Yamamoto entered the current series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 0.90 ERA in 2025, but thanks to an aggressive home lineup, the second-year pitcher will be leaving Phoenix with a slightly inflated number.

The milestone homer came in the fourth inning with Thursday’s contest in a scoreless tie. 

Following two free passes (one BB, one HBP) and an infield single, D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno stepped in with the bases loaded and no outs. Next, Moreno went “Oppo Taco” on a 2-0 cutter from Yamamoto, crushing the pitch just over the right-field fence.

It Just Means More(no) pic.twitter.com/zcPxNsowDN

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 9, 2025

Yamamoto quickly regained focus, retiring the subsequent three Arizona hitters to escape the fourth without any further damage. However, the Dodger ace gave up a solo shot to Ketel Marte in the bottom of the fifth to put Los Angeles behind, 5-0.

Without a doubt, Yamamoto is one of the finest pitchers in MLB, but this is “The Show,” after all—everyone gets “got” eventually.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Yamamoto after five complete frames, closing Thursday’s book on him with five earned runs, six hits allowed and four strikeouts.

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At time of publication, Yamamoto is in line for his third loss of the season. Regardless, DraftKings Sportsbook is listing Yamamoto (+240) amongst the 2025 National League Cy Young betting favorites.

Whether Los Angeles wins or loses at Chase Field on Thursday, the Dodgers will hold on to the N.L.’s best record for at least one more day.

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