🔗 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 Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season.

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 allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, 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 jumped out to a fast lead. On the game's opening offering, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the historic first for the Fall Classic that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. He retired five straight via strikeout between the early frames, breaking a rookie pitching record before Hernández ended the run with a solo homer in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a defensive mistake, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a three to one lead. The Los Angeles offense continued to sputter from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The Dodgers starter persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases became full. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the final margin.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger 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.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Toronto's ballpark.