BALTIMORE – It was a night that started with promise but ended in devastation for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was just one out away from a historic no-hitter when Jackson Holliday sent fans into a frenzy with a late-game home run, sealing a heartbreaking 4-3 loss for the Dodgers against the Baltimore Orioles.

As the clock ticked down in the ninth inning, Yamamoto dazzled, allowing no hits and bringing his pitch count to an impressive 112. But just when history was within reach, Holliday lofted a cutter over the right-field fence, ruining what could have been a milestone for the star pitcher.

The Dodgers, reeling from a streak of five consecutive losses, found themselves once again unable to clinch the victory. Following Holliday's stunning homer, the Orioles rallied to tie the game with a walk-off single from Emmanuel Rivera, further deepening the Dodgers’ woes.

"It’s hard to swallow," Yamamoto expressed after the game, an interpreter at his side. As frustration mounted for the team, manager Dave Roberts admitted, "We just couldn’t get that last out."

In a night full of chaos, Treinen struggled to close out innings. After allowing a double and an error that led to walks, the Dodgers' closer Tanner Scott was brought in but failed to execute, culminating in Rivera’s game-winning hit. It’s a grim fact that the Dodgers have lost seven of their last eight matches against teams with losing records.

Yamamoto, who signed a staggering $325 million contract, was electric on the mound, showcasing why the Dodgers invested so heavily in him. He was aiming to become only the third Japanese pitcher to throw a no-hitter in MLB history, following in the footsteps of legends Hideo Nomo and Hisashi Iwakuma.

Meanwhile, catcher Ben Rortvedt, called up to fill in for an injured Will Smith, couldn’t believe his role in a potentially historic night. "I was just trying to keep up with him," Rortvedt said, admitting his nerves grew through the game as they flirted with history.

Despite Yamamoto’s extraordinary performance, he exited the game with a 3-1 lead, leaving his teammates with a chance at redemption. Yet, the Dodgers’ offense couldn't capitalize, leading to an unexpected meltdown.

Once again, the Dodgers faced disappointing defeat, leaving the clubhouse silent and the players in disbelief at how a promising evening turned into another disheartening chapter in their season. Treinen encapsulated the mood, saying, “You’re paid to be a professional, and I didn’t do that. Yamamoto deserves better than that.”

With the weight of the game hanging heavily over them, the Dodgers will need to regroup and recover from this latest setback as they continue to struggle in a season marred by unexpected challenges.