Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames 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 defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, stunning the crowd before most had found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. 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 two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, 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 produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The starting pitcher battled through six and two-thirds innings but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – thanks to a errant throw and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A hit in the eighth provided the last run.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, fanning three batters collectively while protecting the rookie's gem.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again couldn't find momentum. Their top hitter went without a hit in four trips and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at Toronto's ballpark.

Tamara Pittman
Tamara Pittman

A passionate fashion blogger with over a decade of experience in trend forecasting and personal styling.