Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Los Angeles in Game 5

Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first title since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The first-year pitcher 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 seven-game set.

Early Offensive Explosion

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. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run 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, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a misplay, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a three to one lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the concluding score.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. 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 couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger 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.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. Friday evening features Game 6 at Toronto's ballpark.

Brittany Bruce MD
Brittany Bruce MD

A logistics expert with over a decade of experience in global shipping and travel efficiency, passionate about simplifying complex processes.