🔗 Share this article

Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who debuted in the majors this past September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher 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 seven-game set.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the initial throw, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. 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 found their seats.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the early frames, setting a rookie 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.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a defensive mistake, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to plate the run for a three to one lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened 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 starting pitcher persisted for over six frames but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – one on a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to make it 5–1. A hit 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 worked a scoreless inning to secure the victory, recording three strikeouts together while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in search of a spark, again struggled to get going. Their key batter went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats since a record-setting on-base performance in the third game.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto head back to their home ballpark with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.