Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first World Series championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old 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 rookie right-hander allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, 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 provided early support. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had found their seats.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet 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 persisted for over six frames but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – one on a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while maintaining the stellar start.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now hitless in seven at-bats since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.