Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first championship since the 1993 season.
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 rookie right-hander 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this seven-game set.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. 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 consecutive home runs opened a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had found their seats.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then took over. He struck out five consecutive batters between the early frames, setting a rookie record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo shot in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth 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 bullpen arms each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Friday evening features Game 6 at Toronto's ballpark.