🔗 Share this article

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The young Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The rookie right-hander allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. 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 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 drilled a 97-mile-per-hour heater and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a fielding error, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet 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 couldn’t escape the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to extend the lead to 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the pen closed it out. The bullpen arms each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, fanning three batters collectively while maintaining the stellar start.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their top hitter went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto return home with two games to secure the title. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.