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

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance 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 evening, standing one win away of their first 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 started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this seven-game set.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball 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 the game began with two straight homers, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then took over. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot 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, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice 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 produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the final margin.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each pitched an inning without allowing a run to close it out, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since setting a World Series on-base record in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.