Toronto One Step Away of Glory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Game 5
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first championship since the 1993 season.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – 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 started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this seven-game set.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the initial throw, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had found their seats.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Building the Advantage
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the last run.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again couldn't find momentum. Their key batter went hitless in four at-bats and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.