Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since 1993.
The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – achieving a historic World Series first. The rookie right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. 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.
Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Just moments later, 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, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.
Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, setting a rookie record before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a three to one lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.
The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but couldn’t escape the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. Both runners he left behind came around to score – thanks to a errant throw and the other on a run-scoring hit – to push the lead to four runs. A eighth-inning base hit provided the final margin.
Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each pitched an inning without allowing a run to secure the victory, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.
The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again couldn't find momentum. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since a record-setting on-base performance in the third game.
Now up 3–2, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.
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