Toronto One Step Away of Glory After Yesavage Tames Dodgers 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 Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first World Series championship since 1993.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. 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 championship 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 drove it over the left-field wall. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to a similar location. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then took over. He struck out five consecutive batters between the early frames, setting a rookie record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter 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 – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the concluding score.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. 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 Game 3.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now holding a 3-2 lead, 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.