Blue Jays On the Brink of Glory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Game 5

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, needing just one more triumph of their first title since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this championship series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Hernández ended the run 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, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a defensive mistake, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The starting pitcher battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each tossed a shutout frame to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now riding an 0-for-7 skid since a record-setting on-base performance 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 chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.