Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match

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 evening, standing one win away 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 first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, 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 jumped out to a fast lead. 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 homered as well 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 found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, setting a rookie record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the third inning to make it two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to score him for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. Both runners he left behind came around to score – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the concluding score.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their key batter went 0-for-4 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.

Christopher Bass
Christopher Bass

A seasoned career coach and writer passionate about helping individuals unlock their potential and navigate professional challenges.