Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Rookie Phenom Dominates Los Angeles in Fifth Match
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, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The young Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. 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 been the winning pitcher in two of Toronto's three wins in this best-of-seven 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 homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to a similar location. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that consecutive home runs opened a game, shocking the spectators before most had found their seats.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then went to work. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 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.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the concluding score.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each tossed a shutout frame to close it out, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again couldn't find momentum. Their top hitter went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto return home with two games to secure the title. Friday evening features Game 6 at Rogers Centre.