Dodgers' Yamamoto Loses Perfect Game Bid on Betts Error

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto missed out on a series of major milestones late in the game on Sunday.

Yamamoto started in the away game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, today (June 14), earning his 7th win of the season (4 losses) with a dominant performance, allowing only one run over 8⅓ innings.

Yamamoto had been on a perfect game streak, retiring 23 consecutive batters without allowing a hit or a walk from the start of the game. However, his momentum was halted by an error from shortstop Mookie Betts with two outs in the 8th inning.

A routine ground ball hit off Betts' glove and deflected toward second base.

Although the ball rolled toward second baseman Santiago Espinal, who was covering, Espinal was also unable to secure it.

The play was officially ruled an error on Betts.

After allowing his first baserunner of the day and ending his perfect game bid, Yamamoto remained composed and retired the next batter with a groundout. He took the mound in the 9th inning, looking to secure his first career MLB no-hitter.

However, he gave up a solo home run to right field to the first batter, Tristan Peters, which was the only hit he allowed all day, ending his no-hit bid as well.

Yamamoto retired the next batter with a flyout before handing the mound over to Alex Vesia.

Yamamoto, who achieved two no-hitters in Nippon Professional Baseball, previously came close to a no-hitter last year against the Baltimore Orioles, only to lose it with two outs in the 9th inning after giving up a home run.

Instead, in his previous outing against the Los Angeles Angels, Yamamoto retired 45 consecutive batters, including 22 in a row in that game, tying the second-longest streak in history.

The record for the longest streak is 46 consecutive batters retired, set by Yusmeiro Petit of the San Francisco Giants in 2014.

Led by Shohei Ohtani's 14th home run of the season (a solo shot), the Dodgers secured a 7-1 victory.
 
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.