Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first title 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 first-year pitcher gave up only a single run on three hits in seven innings. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this seven-game set.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. 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 first time in World Series history that consecutive home runs opened a game, stunning the crowd before most had found their seats.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a defensive mistake, and Clement delivered a sacrifice 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 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. The two inherited runners scored – via a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to make it 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the final margin.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while maintaining the stellar start.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.