🔗 Share this article

Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first championship since the 1993 season.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. The rookie right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits over seven frames. He started the season in Class A before sparse crowds, 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 gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the first pitch of the game, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and sent it over the left-field fence. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the first time in World Series history that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had found their seats.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was as close as Los Angeles would get.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tripled down the right-field line after a fielding error, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The starting pitcher battled through six and two-thirds innings but was chased in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – via a wild pitch and the other on a run-scoring hit – to make it 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the concluding score.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, fanning three batters collectively while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their key batter went 0-for-4 and is now hitless in seven at-bats since a record-setting on-base performance in Game 3.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two opportunities to win it all. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.