Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Los Angeles 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 beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first World Series championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues 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 began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a misplay, and Ernie Clement lifted 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.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The late-inning pitchers each worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again couldn't find momentum. Their key batter went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto return home with two games to secure the title. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.

Stephen Gordon
Stephen Gordon

A passionate traveler and writer dedicated to uncovering the world's hidden treasures and sharing authentic local experiences.