Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Yesavage Dominates 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 Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – achieving a historic World Series first. The rookie right-hander 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 started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this best-of-seven series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had found their seats.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then went to work. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a misplay, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but was chased in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the concluding score.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the traveling fans, and the relievers finished the job. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their key batter went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now up 3–2, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.