Toronto One Step Away of Glory After Rookie Phenom Tames Los Angeles in Fifth Match
Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first title since 1993.
A Rookie's Record-Setting Night
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – setting a new World Series record. The rookie right-hander 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 championship series.
Early Offensive Explosion
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.
The Pitcher's Dominance
Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.
Extending the Lead
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to score him for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.
Seventh-Inning Rally
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 – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to make it 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the last run.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.
Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters
The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter 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 the third game.
On the Verge of a Championship
Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two opportunities to win it all. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.