🔗 Share this article Blue Jays On the Brink of Victory After Yesavage Dominates Dodgers in Game 5 Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first title since 1993. A Rookie's Record-Setting Night The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, struck out 12 without issuing a 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. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series. Early Offensive Explosion Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, shocking the spectators before most had found their seats. Yesavage Takes Control Yesavage then took over. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came. Building the Advantage In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a fielding error, 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 scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings. Late Inning Insurance The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the last run. Bullpen Secures the Win Yesavage received a standing ovation upon leaving from the Toronto faithful, and the bullpen did the rest. The relief corps each pitched an inning without allowing a run to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece. Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their key batter went without a hit in four trips and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since a record-setting on-base performance in the third game. On the Verge of a Championship Now up 3–2, Toronto return home with two chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at their home field.