Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Game 5
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first title since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – setting a new World Series record. The rookie right-hander 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 earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to almost the exact same place. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a misplay, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a three to one lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the final margin.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their key batter went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
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 Rogers Centre.