NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 5, 2024

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Dodgers - 7, Padres - 5

Q. Why do you think the first inning was such a struggle for you?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I allowed a walk to the first hitter, batter, and because I started carrying runners. And basically because my basic pitching strategy, what I usually have was not working.

Q. Why do you think maybe there's been some inconsistencies with your command, especially coming back from the shoulder injury?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I was trying to be careful with the inconsistency of the command. So I was trying to be careful. But I just kept falling behind the count.

Q. How impressed were you by just the way the team was able to rally, especially after Shohei's home run and able to take the lead in this game?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I appreciated all the support after I gave up the runs. As a result, as a team, I'm so glad that we won as a team at the end.

Q. After your long layoff -- I think this is your first start -- in the spring you'd just be building up. How do you feel as far as endurance, how far you can go into a game and also quality of your pitches?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I think my current condition, endurance capacity, is pretty good. And I think I can go a little farther, deeper into the game.

Q. When you got out to the mound and you're warming up and see all the towels waving and stuff, what was it like seeing that? Did that get your nerves up at all?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I did feel passion from the crowd. And then I wanted to utilize that and turn that into a positive fact for me. But unfortunately I was not able to do that today.

Q. Last year in the Japan Series your first start wasn't good. Then you bounced back and had a good start in your second one. Just what might you be able to take from that and apply to this situation if you have to come back and pitch Game 5?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Like I said, because I really appreciate the support because my teammates got my spot. And until the next outing I'm going to review what went wrong and what was good and then I'm going to make it workable into the next outing.

Q. If there is a Game 5 and you face the Padres again this series, what can you take away from how they approached you today and were able to get to you?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm going to review what went wrong today. And then I'm going to study the lineup again. And I think that's the same to the Padres lineup. I'm going to analyze it and then study and get myself ready for the next one.