Toronto On the Brink of Glory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Dodgers in Game 5
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first championship since the 1993 season.
Yesavage's Historic Outing
The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – achieving a historic World Series first. 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this seven-game set.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the initial throw, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started 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, breaking a rookie pitching record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to score him 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 produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.
Late Inning Insurance
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but was chased in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the last run.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two games to secure the title. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.