Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Game 5

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first championship since the 1993 season.

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 – 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. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, setting a rookie record before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line 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 managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases became full. The two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and one more on a base hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the final margin.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The late-inning pitchers each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto return home with two chances to clinch. Friday evening features Game 6 at Toronto's ballpark.

Miss Sarah Guerrero
Miss Sarah Guerrero

Marine biologist and passionate ocean advocate with over a decade of experience in conservation research and education.