Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first championship since 1993.
Yesavage's Historic Outing
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – setting a new World Series record. The rookie right-hander 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this championship series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to a similar location. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had settled in.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then took over. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to plate the run for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The starting pitcher battled through six and two-thirds innings but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to make it 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again found little traction. Their key batter went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since a record-setting on-base performance in the third game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.