Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Game 5
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – setting a new World Series record. The first-year pitcher surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, 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 gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had settled in.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then took over. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo homer in the third inning to make it two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to make it 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each tossed a shutout frame to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two opportunities to win it all. The sixth game is set for Friday at their home field.