🔗 Share this article Blue Jays On the Brink of Glory After Yesavage Tames Dodgers in Game 5 Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, moving within one victory of their first World Series championship since the 1993 season. A Rookie's Record-Setting Night The young Yesavage, who made his major league debut in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – setting a new World Series record. The first-year pitcher gave up only a single run on three hits in seven innings. 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 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 homered to left field. Immediately after, Vladimir Guerrero Jr added a second home run to a similar location. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that consecutive home runs opened a game, stunning the crowd before most had taken their places. The Pitcher's Dominance Yesavage then assumed command. He fanned five in a row between the second and third innings, setting a rookie record before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it 2–1. That was the nearest the Dodgers came. Extending the Lead In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho smacked a triple to right field after a defensive mistake, and Clement delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the run for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After scoring six runs in Monday’s 18-inning marathon, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 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. Both runners he left behind came around to score – thanks to a errant throw and the other on a run-scoring hit – to make it 5–1. A hit in the eighth provided the last run. Relievers Seal the Deal Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Blue Jays supporters, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each tossed a shutout frame to secure the victory, fanning three batters collectively while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece. Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in search of a spark, again found little traction. Their star slugger went 0-for-4 and is now without a hit in his last seven appearances since setting a World Series on-base record in the third game. On the Verge of a Championship Now up 3–2, Toronto go back to their own stadium with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.