🔗 Share this article

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, needing just one more triumph of their first championship since the 1993 season.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – the first pitcher in World Series history to do so. 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 started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this seven-game set.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters jumped out to a fast lead. On the initial throw, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and drove it over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, shocking the spectators before most had settled in.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then assumed command. He struck out five consecutive batters between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Hernández ended the run with a home run in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, 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 three to one lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve produced just four runs in their last 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but couldn’t escape the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – thanks to a errant throw and one more on a base hit – to make it 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the final margin.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the bullpen did the rest. The late-inning pitchers each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, fanning three batters collectively while protecting the rookie's gem.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who adjusted their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again found little traction. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats 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 leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two opportunities to win it all. Friday evening features Game 6 at their home field.