Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Dominates Los Angeles in Game 5
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first title since the 1993 season.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
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 allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this championship series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. 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, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo shot in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
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 Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to push the lead to four runs. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since a record-setting on-base performance in the third game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.