Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Dominates 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 beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph 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, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across 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 championship series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, leaving the audience in awe before most had found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the last run.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The late-inning pitchers each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their top hitter went without a hit in four trips 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 leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.

Meagan Escobar
Meagan Escobar

A seasoned business strategist with over 15 years of experience in agile project management and digital innovation.