Hooton started Game 3 of the 1977 NLCS against the Phillies, but was pulled after issuing three consecutive bases-loaded walks in the second inning; the Dodgers came back to win, 6–5. In the World Series against the New York Yankees, he pitched a 6–1 victory in Game 2, allowing only five singles and retiring 14 of the last 15 hitters to tie the Series at one game each. But in Game 6, he left in the fourth inning with the Dodgers behind, 4–3, after giving up a 2-run home run to Reggie Jackson—Jackson's first of three in the game, all on the first pitch. The Yankees won 8–4, taking the Series in six games. The 1978 playoffs were rematches; in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Phillies, Hooton left after allowing three runs in the fifth inning, although the Dodgers still led, 7–4, and went on to win the game. In the Series rematch with the Yankees he won Game 2, leaving in the seventh inning with a 4–2 lead as Los Angeles held on for a 4–3 win to take a 2–0 Series edge. But Game 5 was another crushing defeat as Hooton was yanked after allowing four runs in the third inning for a 4–2 Yankee lead, with New York romping to a 12–2 blowout and their third straight win. The Yankees won again two days later for their second consecutive title.