Toronto On the Brink of Glory After Yesavage Tames 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 defeated the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first title since the 1993 season.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this championship series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the run 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 produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – one on a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
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 without a hit in his last seven appearances since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two chances to clinch. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.