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.

Tammy Smith
Tammy Smith

A passionate football journalist with over 10 years of experience covering Italian football and Serie B teams.