Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Game 5

Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the 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 debuted in the majors this past September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – setting a new World Series record. The first-year pitcher gave up only a single run on three hits in seven innings. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this best-of-seven series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to a similar location. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that back-to-back homers started a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but was chased in the seventh after the bases became full. Both runners he left behind came around to score – thanks to a errant throw and one more on a base hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the last run.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The late-inning pitchers each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, 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 a record-setting on-base performance in the third game.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at their home field.

David Carter
David Carter

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