Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Los Angeles in Fifth Match
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound 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 evening, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.
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 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 gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to a similar location. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then went to work. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo homer in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. Both runners he left behind came around to score – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the last run.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, fanning three batters collectively while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their key batter 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 leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two chances to clinch. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.