🔗 Share this article

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, moving within one victory of their first championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old 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 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 earned two starting wins in the series in this seven-game set.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the initial throw, Schneider drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to nearly the same spot. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that back-to-back homers started a game, leaving the audience in awe before most had settled in.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but exited in the seventh after the bases became full. The two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the last run.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The bullpen arms each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

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 0-for-4 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 up 3–2, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two games to secure the title. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.