Japan's Yamamoto shines in Dodgers' sixth straight win

Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a gem on the mound Friday, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the reigning MLB champion Atlanta Braves — the Dodgers' sixth straight win.

Yamamoto gave up just one hit and no runs to the Braves during his six innings on the mound at Atlanta's Truist Park.

The pitcher continues to demonstrate the talent that prompted the Dodgers to make a massive investment last season, signing him to a 12-year, $325 million deal.

Betts' two home runs

Mookie Betts, one of the Dodgers' stars, opened the scoring in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Will Smith. He then extended the lead with a solo home run in the sixth, before Matt Olson put the Braves on the board with a homer in the seventh, after Yamamoto had left the game.

Rain interrupted the game for just over an hour, but the Dodgers held off the home team’s final comeback attempt to strengthen their lead in the National League West with a 22-10 record.

Yankees victory

Elsewhere, the New York Yankees shut out the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 thanks to a three-run homer by Paul Goldschmidt. The Bronx Bombers also relied on a dominant performance from pitcher Max Fried, who allowed just one hit — to Panama’s Jose Caballero — over seven innings.

Fried, the main signing for the World Series runners-up, became the first pitcher in the majors this season to reach six wins. 

Padres win despite injury to Fernando Tatis Jr.

The San Diego Padres defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 9–4, but the win was overshadowed by an injury to Dominican star Fernando Tatis Jr., who exited in the third inning after being hit on the left forearm by a pitch.

The team later reported he was being evaluated for a possible concussion.

Venezuelan Luis Arráez led San Diego to their third consecutive win, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs.