Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out eight over five innings but surrendered all four runs as his Los Angeles Dodgers fell to a 4-1 loss and a series sweep against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Yamamoto (5-2) was charged with his first defeat since losing his Major League Baseball debut for the Dodgers on March 21 in Seoul. Former Nippon Ham Fighters and SoftBank Hawks right-hander Nick Martinez (2-3) got the win for Cincinnati after allowing just one hit over 4-1/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Yamamoto looked strong entering the third inning at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park and opened the frame with his fifth strikeout.
But the Japanese right-hander loaded the bases with two out before giving up back-to-back two-run singles to Jonathan India and Nick Martini that gave the Reds a commanding 4-0 lead.
The high-powered Dodger lineup, meanwhile, was kept in check by Martinez and three other pitchers on a bullpen day for the Reds. Shohei Ohtani finished 1-for-4, striking out once and scoring a run.
In other MLB action, Toronto Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi got a no-decision after making an early exit from his team's 14-11 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
The Japanese southpaw gave up five runs on eight hits in three innings of the high-scoring contest at Detroit's Comerica Park.
