Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Dominates Dodgers in Fifth Match

Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays topped the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. 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 earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to a similar location. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – via a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the traveling fans, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while protecting the rookie's gem.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in Game 3.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.

Megan Caldwell
Megan Caldwell

A passionate horticulturist with over 15 years of experience in organic gardening and landscape design.