🔗 Share this article

Trey Yesavage turned in a legendary performance and Schneider connected for a homer on the opening pitch as the Blue Jays topped the Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday, standing one win away of their first championship since 1993.

A Rookie's Record-Setting Night

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, fanned a dozen batters without a single walk – setting a new World Series record. 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 earned two starting wins in the series in this seven-game set.

Early Offensive Explosion

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the game's opening offering, Schneider connected with a high-velocity fastball and homered to left field. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered as well to nearly the same spot. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, leaving the audience in awe before most had taken their places.

The Pitcher's Dominance

Yesavage then went to work. He struck out five consecutive batters between the early frames, establishing a new rookie mark before the streak was snapped by Kiké Hernández with a home run in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

Building the Advantage

In the fourth inning, Varsho lined a triple into the right-field corner after a misplay, and Ernie Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home for a 3–1 lead. The Dodgers' bats remained quiet from there. After a six-run output in an 18-inning game, they’ve scored a mere four times in nearly 30 innings.

Seventh-Inning Rally

The Dodgers starter lasted into the seventh inning but was chased in the seventh after the Blue Jays loaded the bases. The two inherited runners scored – one on a wild pitch and another on an RBI single – to extend the lead to 5–1. A eighth-inning base hit provided the concluding score.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the traveling fans, and the pen closed it out. The relief corps each worked a scoreless inning to close it out, combining for three strikeouts while preserving the rookie’s masterpiece.

Offensive Woes Continue

The Dodgers, who rearranged their batting order in search of a spark, again couldn't find momentum. Their star slugger went hitless in four at-bats and is now hitless in seven at-bats since reaching base a World Series-record nine times in the third game.

On the Verge of a Championship

Now holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto return home with two chances to clinch. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.