Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Game 5
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first World Series championship since 1993.
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 – setting a new World Series record. 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 best-of-seven series.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to a similar location. It marked the first time in World Series history 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, establishing a new rookie mark before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to score him for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened 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 lasted into the seventh inning but couldn’t escape the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to close it out, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two games to secure the title. The sixth game is set for Friday at Toronto's ballpark.