Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Dodgers in Game 5

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The rookie right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. 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 championship series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, stunning the crowd before most had settled in.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, 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 two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went 0-for-4 and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since reaching base a World Series-record nine times 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 chances to clinch. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.