🔗 Share this article

Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first title since the 1993 season.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The first-year pitcher surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this best-of-seven series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and sent it over the left-field fence. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that consecutive home runs opened a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then took over. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a solo shot in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The two inherited runners scored – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.