Blue Jays One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Tames Dodgers in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The rookie right-hander gave up only a single run on three hits in 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.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the game's opening offering, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, setting a rookie record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak 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.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in search of a spark, again couldn't find momentum. Their key batter went 0-for-4 and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.