Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Dodgers in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in 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 started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this championship series.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to almost the exact same place. 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.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then took over. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot 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 lifted a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while protecting the rookie's gem.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.