Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit hard, starting the game with a home run each. The Blue Jays were on their way to a convincing 6-1 victory Wednesday night in Los Angeles in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers.
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The Blue Jays are just one small win away from a championship. Or better yet… a big win in what would be Toronto's first since 1993.
The hardest part remains to be done, even if the World Series now moves to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday and the seventh and final game on Saturday if necessary.
Sensational Yesavage
In Wednesday's game, Schneider and Guerrero Jr. visibly inspired their younger teammate Trey Yesavage, 22, who was in the Blue Jays' starting lineup.
Yesavage is undoubtedly the revelation of the year for the Jays. In seven innings of work, he allowed just one run and three hits. The one the Blue Jays drafted in the first round of the 20th round.e There were a total of 12 strikeouts against the Dodgers in the 2024 draft. The rookie threw 104 pitches, including 71 catches.
“This is crazy,” Yesavage commented after the game, as reported on a major baseball website. Hollywood couldn't imagine anything better. I'm very grateful to be a part of this.”
Ohtani whitewashed youth
Among Dodgers hitters, Ohtani had his first loss in his first three starts against Yesavage. The Blue Jays pitcher got help from Addison Barger in the sixth inning when the outfielder dove and made a spectacular catch to right field against the Japanese. Ohtani was then frustrated defensively by Guerrero Jr., who grounded out to first base in the bottom of the eighth.
Barger proved himself differently on offense as the Jays returned to bat. After the single, he had two good consecutive reactions on the track: he took second base, then third base after bad throws. Barger then crossed the plate when a fastball from pitcher Edgardo Enriquez ended up well behind the catcher while Guerrero Jr., with his bat, took a step.
Before Larry Walker
Speaking of the game-opening feat, it was the first time in history that a World Series game started with two consecutive home runs. Guerrero Jr., with his eighth home run of the playoffs, became the Canadian-born player with the most career long balls in the majors, ahead of Larry Walker (7) and Russell Martin (6).
Blake Snell, who started the game on the mound for the Dodgers, recovered but nonetheless finished his night allowing a total of five earned runs in six and two-thirds innings.
In Game 6 of the World Series, the Blue Jays' task will be to unravel the mystery of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the gunner who pitched a complete game in Game 2 of the finals.
