Yamamoto turns back the clock to a bygone era

Now are instructed to throw as hard as they can for as long as they can, before inevitably passing the baton to bullpens meticulously crafted to maximize late-game matchups.

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DODGERS third baseman Max Muncy gets a sunflower-seed shower after slugging a solo homer in Game 2.

(ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times)

"I don't think anybody ever goes into a game thinking, 'CG,' " Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said.

"Not in this day and age," third baseman Max Muncy echoed.

But then along came Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the undersized but supremely talented right-hander the Dodgers signed out of Japan two offseasons ago. And along came this postseason, in which the 27-year-old superstar has suddenly turned back the clock.

After throwing a one-run complete game in the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers last week, Yamamoto did it again Saturday night in the Dodgers' 5-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of the World Series, scattering four hits and striking out eight batters while going the full nine innings for his second straight start.

The performance was masterful, methodical and downright dominant, with Yamamoto navigating early traffic and responding to his lone run in the third inning by retiring the final 20 batters — setting a Dodgers postseason record.

It was also hugely important, evening this Fall Classic at one game apiece as the series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Monday night.

Mostly, though, the novelty of the achievement inspired a certain kind of nostalgia. And even from 2,500 miles away, Hershiser felt it as he watched from the restaurant.

"It's very hard to do in today's generation, because you have to be more efficient than in mine," Hershiser said via text late Saturday night, while noting all the added difficulties modern-day starters face. "You're not only battling the opposing team. You're battling the pitch count. And the pitch clock."

Not to mention an analytically driven, new-age culture that discourages managers from leaving starters in too long.