Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Game 5
Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since 1993.
Yesavage's Historic Outing
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to almost the exact same place. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to push the lead to four runs. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, fanning three batters collectively while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again found little traction. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at their home field.