World Series, Game 5: Blue Jays 1 win from glory after Yesavage thwarts Dodgers
Series heads to Toronto with Jays on brink of their first title since 1993 following rookie pitcher’s starring performance at Dodger Stadium
A dazzling 12-strikeout display from rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage carried the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday to leave the Canadian franchise one win away from a first World Series title in 32 years.
A day after tying the series with victory in game four, the Blue Jays moved into a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Major League Baseball championship series with another masterful all-round performance against the reigning champions at Dodger Stadium.
The result means the Blue Jays need just one win to clinch their first World Series crown since 1993 as the series heads back to Toronto for game six on Friday with game seven, if needed, set for Saturday.
“This was a big performance from a lot of different people individually, but collectively as a team, this was a very, very good team win,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, before deadpanning that Yesavage had been “pretty good”.
“Historic stuff,” Schneider said of Yesavage. “I’m kind of blown away by what he did.”
The Blue Jays made an explosive start when leadoff hitter Davis Schneider belted a home run from the first pitch off Dodgers ace Blake Snell before Vladimir Guerrero Jnr smashed another homer into left field two pitches later.