Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Dominates Dodgers in Game 5

Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

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 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well 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.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a 3–1 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.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two opportunities to win it all. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.

Timothy Nolan
Timothy Nolan

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