Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The rookie right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven series.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to a similar location. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had found their seats.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, 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 couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since a record-setting on-base performance in the third game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto return home with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at Toronto's ballpark.