Toronto On the Brink of Glory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Blue Jays topped the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first championship since the 1993 season.
Yesavage's Historic Outing
The young Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – achieving a historic World Series first. 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.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the initial throw, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to almost the exact same place. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then took over. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo shot in the third inning to make it two to one. 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 score him for a three to one 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.
Late Inning Insurance
The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but was chased in the seventh after the bases became full. The two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the last run.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since a record-setting on-base performance 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. The sixth game is set for Friday at their home field.