Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Dodgers in Game 5
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since the 1993 season.
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 first-year pitcher gave up only a single run on three hits in seven innings. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this championship 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. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to a similar location. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that back-to-back homers started a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had found their seats.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, setting a rookie record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot in the third inning to make it two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the last run.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the relievers finished the job. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since reaching base a World Series-record nine times 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. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.