Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles 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 Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first championship 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 – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The rookie right-hander 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 best-of-seven series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to a similar location. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching 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, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a misplay, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to score him 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 managed only four across the past 29 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the concluding score.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their key batter went 0-for-4 and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at their home field.