LOS ANGELES – In a remarkable turn of events, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage showcased his extraordinary talent in front of a packed Dodger Stadium, delivering a World Series performance that could only be described as cinematic. Facing a crowd of 52,175 fans, Yesavage reflected on the humble beginnings of his season, starting in front of just 327 spectators in the low minor leagues. “Crazy world,” said the wide-eyed rookie. “Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good.”
Only 46 days after advancing through five levels of professional baseball to make his major league debut, Yesavage made history by recording 12 strikeouts, setting a Fall Classic rookie record. His stellar performance helped the Blue Jays secure a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5, positioning Toronto just one win away from their first championship since 1993.
With his teammates Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leading the charge, the Blue Jays opened the game with back-to-back home runs—a historic first for a Series game. Yesavage, just 22 years old, took the mound with poise, striking out superstar Shohei Ohtani on his very first pitch in baseball’s largest-capacity ballpark.
“I took a moment to look around the stadium, see all the fans,” he recalled. “I was hoping I would send ’em home upset.” As it turned out, he silenced the crowd with a masterful array of pitches, including a sinking splitter and a powerful fastball. He surpassed the previous record of 11 strikeouts held by Don Newcombe from 1949, becoming the first World Series pitcher to achieve 12 strikeouts without issuing a walk.
Toronto manager John Schneider expressed his disbelief at Yesavage’s performance, stating, “I’m kind of blown away by what he did.” After a shaky opener just days earlier, where he lasted only four innings, Yesavage delivered a complete turnaround that left Dodgers’ hitters struggling.
The Blue Jays managed to bounce back from a tough Game 3 loss that stretched to 18 innings, outscoring the Dodgers 12-3 over the following games and displaying resilience that bodes well for their championship aspirations. “As a group, it’s time for us to show our character and put up a fight,” said Kikuchi, who contributed to the team’s success with a crucial homer.
Yesavage’s pitching stats shone bright, as he allowed only three hits over seven brilliant innings, while relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Jeff Hoffman completed the four-hitter. The Dodgers, on the other hand, struggled offensively, scoring just four runs in their last 29 innings throughout the series and facing challenges with wild pitches.
Next, the two teams will face off again at Rogers Centre, where Toronto aims to secure their championship title against the Dodgers, who will send right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound to confront Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays. With such close competition and the excitement of the postseason on display, baseball fans can expect a thrilling Game 6 as the Blue Jays stand on the precipice of greatness.