Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Rookie Phenom Tames Dodgers in Game 5

Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since 1993.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – setting a new World Series record. The first-year pitcher gave up only a single run on three hits in seven innings. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the initial throw, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to almost the exact same place. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a defensive mistake, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to bring him home 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 scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. Both runners he left behind came around to score – thanks to a errant throw 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 exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while maintaining the stellar start.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went without a hit in four trips and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.