🔗 Share this article

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Davis Schneider launched a home run on the game's initial offering as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first championship since 1993.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, struck out 12 without issuing a walk – achieving a historic World Series first. The first-year pitcher surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, 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. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the first time in World Series history that the game began with two straight homers, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, breaking a rookie pitching record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a home run in the third inning to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Extending the Lead

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a misplay, and Ernie Clement hit a sac fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. Both runners he left behind came around to score – via a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A single in the eighth provided the concluding score.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage exited to a standing ovation from the traveling fans, and the relievers finished the job. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their key batter went without a hit in four trips and is now hitless in seven at-bats 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 chances to clinch. The sixth game is set for Friday at Rogers Centre.