Toronto One Step Away of Victory After Yesavage Tames Los Angeles in Game 5
Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, moving within one victory 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, struck out 12 without issuing a 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. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this seven-game set.
A Quick Start for Toronto
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the initial throw, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to a similar location. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had found their seats.
Yesavage Takes Control
Yesavage then took over. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to score him for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
The starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to make it 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.
Relievers Seal the Deal
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.