Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Game 5
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this championship series.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the initial throw, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had found their seats.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then went to work. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a misplay, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter 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 persisted for over six frames but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – 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 traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. 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 shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record 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 opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.