Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Perfect Game Shattered in Dramatic 9th-Inning Blast by Jackson Holliday

Man, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was just inches away from etching his name into baseball lore with what would’ve been the season’s inaugural no-hitter. Picture this—the Dodgers’ ace cruising through 8.2 innings without allowing a single hit, toes on the edge of history. Then, outta nowhere, Baltimore Orioles’ rising star Jackson Holliday, only 21 and already making waves, breaks the spell with a clutch solo homer deep into right field in the bottom of the ninth. Oof, talk about a heartbreaker! After firing 112 pitches, Yamamoto was pulled in favor of Blake Treinen, but the crowd wasn’t about to let him leave quietly—they gave him a roaring standing ovation. Despite the late hit, Yamamoto had a night to remember, tossing 10 strikes and surpassing seven innings for the first time in his major league journey since joining the Dodgers in 2024. While this would’ve marked his maiden MLB no-hitter, the 27-year-old isn’t new to the feat, having silenced hitters in back-to-back seasons with Japan’s Orix Buffaloes. Baseball’s cruelty and magic wrapped in one unforgettable outing… LEARN MORE

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was this close to getting the first no-hitter of the season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers starter was one out from making history, going hitless through 8.2 innings. But Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday had other plans: The 21-year-old broke up the no-no at the last second, with a solo homer to deep right field in the bottom of the ninth.

Yamamoto, who had racked up 112 pitches, was immediately taken out of the game and replaced by reliever Blake Treinen. He received a standing ovation as he exited.

Advertisement

Even with the homer, Yamamoto had a career night, throwing 10 strikes in the outing. He also passed seven innings for the first time in his MLB career, nearly getting his first complete game since joining the Dodgers in 2024.

Though it would have been Yamamoto’s first MLB no-hitter, he’s accomplished the feat twice before in his career: The 27-year-old threw no-hitters in two consecutive seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, while playing for the Orix Buffaloes.

This story will be updated.