Blue Jays On the Brink of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Game 5
Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The rookie right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this best-of-seven series.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the initial throw, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to almost the exact same place. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that the game began with two straight homers, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then assumed command. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, setting a rookie 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 as close as Los Angeles would get.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their key batter went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at their home field.