The Toronto Blue Jays moved to within one victory of their first World Series Championship insurance 32 years. Toronto pulled off a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series, taking a 3-2 series lead back to Canada.
The victory was underscored by the dominant pitching performance of Blue Jays rookie hurler Trey Yesavage. The 22-year-old fanned 12 to set a World Series record for most strikeouts by a rookie in a World Series game.
The previous record belonged to Don Newcombe. Newcombe set the record way back in Game 1 of the 1949 World Series.
For Yesavage, the 12 punch-outs were the icing on a brilliant start. Yesavage tossed seven innings, giving up three hits and one run. The lone run came on a Kike Hernandez home run in the third inning. The Blue Jays’ rookie starter did not walk a batter.
The dominant outing allowed the Blue Jays to chip away at the Dodgers’ pitching staff. While Toronto got on the board with two home runs in the first inning, they manufactured runs to open up a sizeable lead.
Seranthony Dominguez pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Closer Jeff Hoffman came in to settle the ninth inning.
The Blue Jays’ victory was part of a remarkable turnaround following their heartbreaking, 18-inning loss. The Jays took Games 4 and 5 to grab an all-important 3-2 series lead. The two clubs will play Game 6 in Toronto on Friday night.
Blue Jays Pitchers Silence Dodgers Bats for Second Straight Game
The Blue Jays’ pitching staff silenced the Dodgers’ bats for the second straight game. In Game 4, Toronto shut down Los Angeles’ offense, limiting it to just two runs. Game 4 starter Shane Bieber was money in the bank for the Jays, pitching into the sixth inning.
In Game 5, it was Yesavage’s turn to showcase his stuff. The Dodgers seemingly could not find a way to damage Yesavage. Except for Hernandez’s home run, the Dodgers were unable to make good contact.
Then again, the Blue Jays’ bullpen has been tough all postseason. The Jays kept the New York Yankees in check while holding off the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS.
But it’s been the overall dominant performance the Jays have gotten in the World Series that’s put them one win away from the franchise’s third World Series victory.
Toronto Turning to Best Pitcher for Game 6
The Blue Jays will turn to Kevin Gausman in Game 6. Gausman tossed 6.2 innings, allowing three runs in Game 2. He fanned six in the losing effort. The Blue Jays’ offense could not offer Gausman much run support in the tough-luck loss.
The Dodgers Game 2 pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, tossed a gem. Yamamoto went the distance, allowing just four hits, while punching out eight. The Dodgers hope that Yamamoto can replicate his success in Game 6, hopefully forcing a Game 7 on Saturday night.
Game 6 promises to be another hard-fought game that could come down to both teams’ bullpens.
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