Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Yesavage Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first World Series championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this best-of-seven series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the initial throw, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo shot in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at their home field.