UPDATE: In a stunning performance, Trey Yesavage achieved a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 in Game 5 on October 25, 2023. This victory puts Toronto just one win away from securing its first championship since 1993.
The game opened with back-to-back home runs from Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., marking the first time consecutive homers have started a Series game. Schneider launched the first pitch from Blake Snell into the left-field stands, while Guerrero followed up with another homer on Snell’s third pitch.
Yesavage, a remarkable 22-year-old right-hander, transitioned from pitching before 327 fans in Single-A to dominating in the World Series, showcasing his talent on the grandest stage. Over seven innings, he allowed only three hits and one run, which came from a solo home run by Enrique Hernandez in the third inning.
Yesavage’s strikeout total surpassed the previous rookie record of 11 strikeouts held by Don Newcombe of the Dodgers since the 1949 Series. Notably, he did this without issuing a single walk, inducing an impressive 23 swing-and-misses—the highest in a Series game since pitch tracking began in 2008.
“I just need to get in the strike zone,” Yesavage stated during a post-game interview with Fox. “When three of my pitches are in the strike zone, I’m in control. Just getting ahead was key for me tonight.”
With this performance, Yesavage improved to 3-1 in the postseason, having made his debut with the Blue Jays on September 15. His success has been a pivotal part of Toronto’s playoff run, and now the team will have a chance to dethrone the defending champions when the Series resumes at Rogers Centre on October 27.
For the Dodgers, the loss marks a tough blow, as Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, dropped to 0-2 in the Series, yielding five runs and four walks over 6 2/3 innings. Despite shaking up the lineup, the Dodgers struggled at the plate, with their top hitters combining for just one hit in fifteen at-bats.
As the Dodgers face elimination, they must regroup quickly. Game 6 will feature a rematch between Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles and Kevin Gausman for Toronto, reviving their previous matchup where the Dodgers secured a 5-1 win.
Fans eagerly await the next chapter in this thrilling World Series, with the Blue Jays on the brink of making history. Will they capture their first title in over three decades? Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates.
