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Yesavage authored a masterclass on the mound and Davis Schneider homered on the very first pitch as the Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers six to one on Wednesday evening, standing one win away of their first championship since the 1993 season.

Yesavage's Historic Outing

The 22-year-old Yesavage, who only reached the big leagues in September, recorded 12 strikeouts and zero walks – setting a new World Series record. The first-year pitcher allowed one run on three hits across seven innings. He began the year pitching before a few hundred fans in Class A ball, but has now started and won two of Toronto’s three victories in this best-of-seven series.

A Quick Start for Toronto

Toronto’s hitters provided early support. On the initial throw, Schneider turned on a 97mph fastball and homered to left field. Just moments later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr followed with another blast to almost the exact same place. It marked the unprecedented occurrence in the World Series that the game began with two straight homers, shocking the spectators before most had taken their places.

Yesavage Takes Control

Yesavage then assumed command. 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 homer in the bottom of the third to make it two to one. That was the Dodgers' closest approach.

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 bring him home for a three to one lead. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles deepened from there. After managing six runs in a lengthy extra-inning contest, they’ve managed only four across the past 29 innings.

Late Inning Insurance

The starting pitcher lasted into the seventh inning but exited in the seventh after the bases were packed. The runners he allowed both crossed the plate – thanks to a errant throw and another on an RBI single – to push the lead to four runs. A single in the eighth provided the last run.

Bullpen Secures the Win

Yesavage was cheered off the field from the Toronto faithful, and the relievers finished the job. The bullpen arms each tossed a shutout frame to end the game, recording three strikeouts together while protecting the rookie's gem.

Dodgers' Lineup Shuffle Falters

The Dodgers, who shuffled their lineup in hopes of igniting the offense, again struggled to get going. Their key batter 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 head back to their home ballpark with two games to secure the title. Game 6 is Friday night at Rogers Centre.