Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Dominates Los Angeles in Fifth Match

Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, needing just one more triumph 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, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then assumed command. He struck out five consecutive batters between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but was chased in the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the concluding score.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each tossed a shutout frame to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. 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 up 3–2, Toronto return home with two opportunities to win it all. The sixth game is set for Friday at their home field.

Joan Conley
Joan Conley

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring cutting-edge innovations and their impact on society.