Blue Jays One Step Away of Glory After Yesavage Dominates Dodgers in Game 5
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Blue Jays topped the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher 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 best-of-seven series.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the initial throw, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and drove it over the left-field wall. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo shot in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on 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 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 close it out, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger 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 holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two games to secure the title. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.