Sports
Yoshinobu Yamamoto outduels Jacob deGrom, makes statement in Dodgers' win over Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas — One of the starting pitchers Friday night has won two Cy Young Awards.
The other is making an early case to win one of his own.
For years, Jacob deGrom has (when healthy) been the gold standard of major league pitching. He has a career ERA of 2.54. He is a four-time All-Star and two-time strikeout king. In 2018 and 2019, he won back-to-back Cy Young honors.
However, in the Dodgers’ 3-0 win over deGrom’s Texas Rangers, it was Yoshinobu Yamamoto who was the best pitcher.
Although deGrom gave up just one run over seven strong innings, Yamamoto spun seven scoreless innings at Globe Life Field. Where deGrom struck out seven and walked one, Yamamoto had 10 strikeouts and no free passes.
It helped the Dodgers (15-6) win the series-opening matchup between the last two World Series champions; a victory also aided by two late insurance runs and two web gems from Max Muncy to escape a ninth-inning jam.
It also further cemented one of the most promising early storylines for this year’s team — affirming Yamamoto, in just his second MLB season, as a legitimate frontline talent seemingly poised for a Cy Young chase.
“He elevated his game to another level,” manager Dave Roberts said. “You could see that he was going against one of the game’s best in deGrom, and he obviously matched him pitch for pitch.”
Friday presented a new challenge for Yamamoto, who entered with a 1.23 ERA in his first four starts. His fastball didn’t have its typical life, sitting a tick lower than normal at 95 mph. His splitter, while still wicked, was a little wilder than usual early on.
Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Harris and columnists Bill Plaschke and Dylan Hernández discuss where the team’s pitching woes are, how they might improve and which Dodgers Debate reporter is most stylish?
So, the 26-year-old Japanese star dug deeper into his bag of tricks. What he came up with, the Rangers (12-8) were helpless to attack.
“He used his entire repertoire tonight,” Roberts said. “He’s just got so much conviction with every pitch.”
That included his curveball, one of the few areas of weakness in Yamamoto’s otherwise sterling start to the season. Last year, Roberts called the pitch one of the best he’s ever seen from a right-hander. But this season, opponents entered the night batting .429 against it. Yamamoto hadn’t registered a strikeout with it once.
Friday was a different story. Yamamoto snapped off a flurry of big-bending curves, generating four whiffs on 11 swings. It accounted for two of his strikeouts, including one to Joc Pederson that stranded runners at second and third in the third. And of the seven that Texas put in play, only two fell for hits.
“If you look at it in totality, his stuff tonight,” Roberts said, “I thought this was his best outing.”
It was the same story with Yamamoto’s rarely used slider, which he gradually mixed in the second and third time through the lineup to give Rangers hitters a different, more unpredictable look.
He fanned Jake Burger with one to end the fourth, stranding yet another runner at second. He used it again on his 102nd and final pitch, recording a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double-play to complete seven innings for only the third time in his MLB career.
“He just has so many ways to get ahead of hitters,” teammate Tommy Edman said. “He can dump in a curveball. He can dot a fastball away. He just has so many ways to get back into the count. Then once he’s up in the count, he’s got a lot of pitches to put them away. He has something for every situation. And he’s been executing all of them.”
Yamamoto’s splitter was also still effective. He threw it 31 times (more than any other offering) while generating seven whiffs on 17 swings (four of them for strikeouts).
More importantly, Yamamoto felt he got ahead in the count more often than he had in his previous outings, mixing in a dose of sinkers and cutters to keep the Rangers constantly off-balance.
“I feel like my pitch mix is working better and better,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “Pitch sequence-wise, I’m pretty much leaving it up to our pitching coaches and catchers. But this year, I’ve been able to control every single one of my pitches.”
It all served as a reminder that Yamamoto — whose 0.93 ERA is the best in the National League — is continuing to evolve into a fully finished product. That, after brief flashes of brilliance last season, he is starting to put all the pieces together for a breakout sophomore big-league campaign.
“I do think that right now, he’s the best pitcher in the National League,” Roberts said, offering only Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes as a potential exception.
“He’s been a man on a mission. He’s been unstoppable,” Edman echoed. “I can’t really imagine anyone being any better than him right now.”
The 36-year-old deGrom, who also remains in that conversation even on the backside of his career, was almost as good in Friday’s pitcher’s duel. He yielded just three hits, touched 99 mph with his premier fastball, and retired 13 of the final 14 batters he faced.
But in the first inning, he threw an elevated heater to Edman (who was filling in as the leadoff hitter in Ohtani’s absence) that the utilityman whacked for his NL-leading seventh home run.
It proved to be deGrom’s only real mistake.
The way Yamamoto was dominating, it was one too many.
“I think there’s a sense of pride,” Roberts said when asked what it meant for Yamamoto to outduel deGrom, one of the big-league stars Yamamoto most looked up to early in his career in Japan.
“You look at who you’re opposing,” Roberts added. “He’s one of the game’s best. I know Yoshi’s followed him for years, Cy Young winner. You want to kind of go toe to toe with him on the road. And he did that.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The WNBA season has been in session for about a week, so it is far too early to make assumptions about teams. That doesn’t mean we won’t make them; it’s just too early to really believe it. I lost my first WNBA bet this season, so I’m hoping to avenge that loss here as the Sky take on the Mercury.
The Chicago Sky are one of the most poorly run franchises in basketball. They have had some great names on their team and only one championship to show for it.
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner shoots over Indiana Fever guard Aerial Powers in the first half at PHX Arena. (Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
There really isn’t a clear indication of what is wrong with the franchise, but they’ve never been able to retain their talent. Aside from Kamilla Cardoso, I can’t name a player on this team that they’ve actually drafted. They just seem to get good players and then show them the door.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
Even though they’ve had questionable front office decisions, they seem to have put together a solid team for this season – something I didn’t expect before the season started.
They are 2-0, which is too early to really say they are a good team. I also want to reserve judgment until they face a team with a longer history than last year. The Portland Tempo played their first-ever game against the Sky, and Golden State was good last year, but still is in just their second season of existence.
The Phoenix Mercury are actually considered one of the best franchises in the league. I’m sure there are issues that people have reported, but for the most part, they have good facilities, and people want to play for their team. They made it all the way to the WNBA Finals last season before falling to the Las Vegas Aces. This year, they are looking to restart that journey and see if they can win the last game of the year.
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper dribbles the ball in the second half at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., on July 27, 2025. (Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images)
It will need to come with some better play than they’ve shown through three games this year. They are just 1-2 for the year with a 0-1 home record. The lone win was a blowout victory over the Aces (a clear revenge game if we’ve ever seen one). Then they lost the next two games against Golden State and Minnesota. Losing to the Lynx wouldn’t be a problem, but they didn’t have Napheesa Collier, who still has an ankle injury.
I expect the Mercury to make some adjustments for this game. They haven’t looked very crisp to begin the year, but they’ve been strong on offense, averaging 87 points per game.
The Sky are going to keep relying on their offense to do just enough and their defense to lock in. The Sky do have an edge on the interior, so they can get buckets fairly easily down low. I like the over 166.5 in this game.
Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins chases the ball during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on May 13, 2026. (Bob Kupbens/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
I also think it is worth betting on Kahleah Copper to go over her point total. Copper had two rough games before she broke out in the last game. Now she has the same sight lines and can attack the bigs from the Sky with her athleticism. Since going to Phoenix, she has scored 29, 7, 16, 25 and 28 points in five games against them.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
Tom Harp has been coaching volleyball at Granada Hills High for so long that few remember he won a City Section championship as a co-head football coach with Darryl Stroh in 1987.
In the 1990s, he turned exclusively to coaching boys’ and girls’ volleyball, winning a combined 15 City titles and making 28 finals appearances. The top-seeded Highlanders will try to deliver a seventh Open Division championship on Saturday when they face West Valley League rival Chatsworth in a 4 p.m. final at Birmingham.
The league rivals split their two West Valley matches, with each going five games. Chatsworth knocked off 17-time champion Palisades in the semifinals. MIT-bound Grant Chang is Chatsworth’s 6-foot-6 powerful outside hitter.
All-City volleyball player RJ Francisco of Granada Hills shows off his hitting skills against Chatsworth.
(Craig Weston)
Granada Hills has RJ Francisco, who had 19 kills in a win over Chatsworth.
The Southern Section Division 1 final is Friday night, with Mira Costa taking on Loyola in a 7:30 p.m. match at Cerritos College.
Regional and state playoffs begin next week.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
Sports
Cedric Alexander becomes new TNA X Division champion, crushing Leon Slater’s history-making attempt
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.
Slater knew a legacy was on the line as he looked to break a record set by Austin Aries. But he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb as Alexander had been just as dangerous since he entered the company.
The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match. But a quick-thinking Slater rolled up Alexander quickly for the first fall.
Cedric Alexander in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 23, 2025. (Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)
Alexander was able to go on offense from there. He hit a nasty German suplex on the outside of the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s tweaked neck. He later hit a Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1.
Slater went deep into his bag. He hit an avalanche Styles Clash, which could have kept anyone else down. However, Alexander kicked out. Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring.
Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him busted open. Alexander declared that he would be the “greatest” X Division champion. One brainbuster later, Alexander tried to pin Slater, but couldn’t get him down.
Alexander hit a Lumbar Check again, but Slater kicked out. Slater mustered up the last ounce of energy. A tilt-a-whirl slam set Alexander up for a swanton 450. Slater missed and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check, and then again.
Leon Slater enters the arena during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 6, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. It will be the first reign for Alexander and his first title of any kind in TNA.
Alexander is a reminder, at least for TNA, that “The System always wins.”
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Fabian Aichner appears
Fabian Aichner, formerly known as Giovanni Vinci, makes his way to the ring during WWE SmackDown at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2024. (WWE/Getty Images)
Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Emerging from the darkness was Fabian Aichner.
Aichner stared down Alexander and appeared to name himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for much of his run in WWE, hadn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE.
Aichner wrestled under his real name for a stint in WWE before he came back as Vinci in June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and an Evolve champion before it became a WWE brand.
Eric Young earns future shot at TNA World Championship
Eric Young outlasted nine other men in an over-the-top battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to start the show.
The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.
Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated. Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment. Elijah broke away with Young’s back turned to him. Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.
The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him down to the ground. Young won the match and received a shot to win the TNA World Championship in the future.
He also made clear that Santana was next on his list of people to wipe out as he did to Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in weeks past.
“Mike Santana, you’re gone next,” he declared.
Mike Santana learns his next opponent
Mike Santana stands in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)
Mike Santana came out to address the crowd and praised Young for his efforts to help build TNA from the ground up.
“You better be coming with something different because while you may be someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the guy. I’m the man. I’m the one who holds down the fort week after week as your TNA world champion.”
While Young might have earned a title shot, Daria Rae came out and revealed to the crowd that Steve Maclin was cleared to return to action following an injury at the hands of Santana.
Maclin will get a shot at Santana’s TNA World Championship next week on “Impact.”
Santino Marella also came out during the segment after he was “suspended.” He revealed that Indi Harwell re-signed with TNA.
Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside rivalry heats up
Xia Brookside attends the “Freelance” screening at Regal Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 24, 2023. (Jose Devillegas/Getty Images)
Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside.
In all black, Brookside claimed she was already in Lei’s head.
“You’re such a fraud. I’ve destroyed you mentally, I’ve destroyed you emotionally, I’ve destroyed you physically, and that title will be around my waist.”
Both competitors tossed expletives at each other before the segment was over. But Brookside made clear that she had her eyes on the title.
AJ Francis prevails over KC Navarro
A.J. Francis told Fox News Digital before the SacTown Street Fight on “Impact” that he was going to bring the pain to Navarro.
While wearing “Show Stealer” across his back, Francis did just that. Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.
Francis was able to turn the tide for a few moments, using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He aligned six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis through it. Instead, Francis countered and attempted an avalanche Down Payment. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs.
It looked like it could’ve been it. Navarro went for the pin, but only got a two count.
Francis turned on the heat from there. He got ahold of Navarro and hit a Down Payment through tables lined up on the outside of the ring.
He rolled Navarro back into the ring and picked up the pinfall victory.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Impact” match results
- Eric Young wins the 10-man battle royal to earn a shot at the TNA World Championship.
- A.J. Francis def. KC Navarro in a SacTown Street Fight.
- Rosemary and Allie def. Veronica Crawford and Mila Moore
- Cedric Alexander def. Leon Slater to win the X Division Championship.
-
North Carolina5 minutes agoSketch of Revolutionary NC brigade discovered hanging on NY wall
-
North Dakota11 minutes agoMemorial service at North Dakota State Capitol honors fallen officers
-
Ohio17 minutes agoOhio State educators honored for service in classroom and beyond
-
Oklahoma23 minutes agoOklahoma high school tennis Classes 6A-4A boys state championship results
-
Oregon29 minutes agoOregon health officials warn of measles exposure at Happy Valley clinic
-
Pennsylvania35 minutes agoWhat each Pennsylvania 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary candidate would do on Day 1
-
Rhode Island41 minutes agoPerson injured after falling onto Red Line tracks near Rhode Island Avenue station
-
South Dakota53 minutes agoSouth Dakota Highway Patrol: slow down, stay alert as summer traffic picks up