Blue Jays On the Brink of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Dodgers in Fifth Match

Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young 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 rookie right-hander allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this championship 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 homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to a similar location. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo shot in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 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 – 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 concluding score.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the relievers finished the job. The late-inning pitchers each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in an attempt to generate runs, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.