Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Yesavage Tames Dodgers in Game 5

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first World Series championship since 1993.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The rookie right-hander allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this best-of-seven 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. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to a similar location. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, setting a rookie record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. 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 lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, 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 couldn’t escape the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to make it 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the last run.

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 worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again couldn't find momentum. Their key batter went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two opportunities to win it all. Game 6 is Friday night at their home field.