Toronto On the Brink of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The rookie right-hander allowed one run on three hits across 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.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then took over. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – thanks to a errant throw and the other on a run-scoring hit – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the relievers finished the job. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went 0-for-4 and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.