Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Fifth Match
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.
Yesavage's Historic Outing
The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. 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 gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the initial throw, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then assumed command. 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 home run in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases became full. Both runners he left behind came around to score – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – 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 traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their top hitter went without a hit in four trips and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at Toronto's ballpark.