Toronto Blue Jays moved within one victory of their first World Series title since 1993 after a commanding 6–1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5. The victory was built on a spectacular performance from rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage, who struck out 12 batters without issuing a walk – a first in World Series history – across seven innings of three-hit ball.
Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, began the year pitching in front of small crowds in the minor leagues. He has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in the best-of-seven series. ‘Crazy world,’ Yesavage said after the game. ‘Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good.’
The Blue Jays seized control from the first pitch. Blake Snell’s opening offering was hammered for a home run by Davis Schneider. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched another homer to nearly the same spot, marking the first time in World Series history that consecutive home runs opened a game. The stunning start left the Dodger Stadium crowd stunned.
Yesavage then took over, striking out five consecutive batters in the second and third innings – a rookie record – before Kiké Hernández ended the streak with a solo home run in the third to cut the lead to 2–1. That was the closest Los Angeles got. The Blue Jays extended their lead in the fourth after Daulton Varsho tripled and Ernie Clement drove him in with a sacrifice fly. Toronto added two more in the seventh after Snell departed, and a single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the eighth made it 6–1.
Yesavage exited to a standing ovation, and the bullpen closed out the game. Toronto manager John Schneider said: ‘I’m kind of blown away by what he did.’ The Dodgers, who moved Will Smith to the two-spot and dropped Mookie Betts to third in an attempt to spark their offence, managed little. Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 and is now hitless in seven at-bats since his record-breaking Game 3. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said: ‘We’ve got to make some adjustments. We’ve been in elimination games … we’ve got to find a way to win a game.’
The Blue Jays now lead the series 3–2, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
