'Back-to-Back Home Run' Toronto Wins WS Game 5... One Win Away from Championship

Toronto rookie pitcher Yesavage pitches 7 innings with 12 strikeouts, allowing 1 run

Toronto's Guerrero Jr. cheering [AP=Yonhap News]

The Toronto Blue Jays are just one win away from winning the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series (WS) championship.

Toronto defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 in Game 5 of the WS held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 30th (Korean time), powered by their strong offense and the excellent pitching of starter Trey Yesavage.

After a tough loss in Game 3 of the WS on the 28th, which went into 18 extra innings, Toronto has now won both Game 4 and Game 5, taking a 3-2 lead in the series.

Toronto will now claim the long-awaited championship trophy if they win one of the upcoming Games 6 and 7, to be held at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on November 1st and 2nd.

Historically, teams that lead a WS series 3-2 have a 67.4% chance of winning the championship (31 out of 46 instances).

Toronto, which has not won since 1993, has taken a significant step towards their first WS title in 32 years.

On the other hand, the Dodgers, last year's WS champions, must win both remaining games to achieve a repeat championship.

Toronto showcased a home run exhibition starting from the top of the first inning.

Leadoff hitter Davis Schneider hit a left-field home run on the first pitch from Dodgers starter Blake Snell, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a left-field home run on the second pitch, recording back-to-back home runs.

This marks the first time in WS history that leadoff and subsequent batters have hit consecutive home runs at the start of a game.

Toronto held a 2-0 lead, but in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Yesavage allowed a solo home run to Enrique Hernández, narrowing the score to 2-1. However, Toronto extended their lead again in the top of the 4th inning.

Dalton Varsho hit a triple that fell in front of the right fielder, and Ernie Clement followed with a sacrifice fly, making the score 3-1.

Toronto further capitalized on the tired Dodgers starter Snell in the bottom of the 7th inning to add more runs.

Addison Barger singled to left, followed by a walk to Andrés Giménez and a wild pitch by Snell, creating a 2-out, 1st and 3rd base opportunity.

The Dodgers hastily brought in hard-throwing pitcher Edgardo Henriquez, but he could not stop Toronto's bats.

Guerrero Jr. drew a walk after a full-count battle, and the final pitch went by the catcher, allowing the runner from third base, Barger, to score.

Immediately after, Bo Bichette hit an RBI single to right field, extending the lead to 5-1.

In the 8th inning, leadoff hitter Clement singled to center, followed by a wild pitch by the opposing pitcher and a progressional hit by Barger, creating a 1-out, 3rd base opportunity. Then, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit an RBI single to left, adding another run and sealing the win.

Yesavage cheering [AP=Yonhap News]

Guerrero Jr. had a strong performance, going 1-for-3 with a home run, 2 walks, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored.

Yesavage, a rookie who has continued to impress with his pitching in the postseason, delivered an excellent performance, pitching 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, striking out 12 batters, and giving up only 1 run.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was silent, going 0-for-4 with 1 strikeout.

Dodgers' versatile player Kim Hye-seong did not get an opportunity to play in this game either.

Game 6 of the WS will be held on November 1st at 9:00 AM at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Toronto is scheduled to start Kevin Gausman, while the Dodgers will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yonhap News