Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Fifth Match

Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first title since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – 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 best-of-seven 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 homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, 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 Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened 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 Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while protecting the rookie's gem.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats 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 leading the series three games to two, Toronto return home with two opportunities to win it all. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.