Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Yesavage Tames 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 Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young 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 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and homered to left field. Two pitches later, 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, 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 second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to score him 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.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases became full. Both runners he left behind came around to score – thanks to a errant throw 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 was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each tossed a shutout frame to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two opportunities to win it all. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.

Marcus Carlson
Marcus Carlson

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