Toronto On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Game 5
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
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 gave up only a single run on three hits in seven innings. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this seven-game set.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. 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 score him for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to push the lead to four runs. A single in the eighth provided the last run.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 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 head back to their home ballpark with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.