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Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Dodgers six to one on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The young Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues 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. His year commenced in the low minors with minimal fanfare, but has now earned two starting wins in the series in this championship series.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters gave him breathing room almost immediately. On the initial throw, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that back-to-back homers started a game, stunning the crowd before most had settled in.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then took over. He retired five straight via strikeout between the second and third innings, establishing a new rookie mark before Kiké Hernández finally broke the streak with a solo shot in the third inning to make it two to one. That was the nearest the Dodgers came.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a defensive mistake, 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 a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter battled through six and two-thirds innings but was chased in the seventh after the bases were packed. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and one more on a base hit – to push the lead to four runs. A single in the eighth provided the last run.

Relievers Seal the Deal

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the pen closed it out. The late-inning pitchers each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, combining for three strikeouts while maintaining the stellar start.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in an attempt to generate runs, again struggled to get going. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Now leading the series three games to two, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at their home field.