Blue Jays seize control in 6-1 Game 5 win, return to Toronto with a chance to clinch first title in 32 years

LOS ANGELES -- The Toronto Blue Jays head home on the brink of history. A 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 gave Toronto a 3-2 lead in the World Series and a chance to clinch its first championship in 32 years tomorrow night at Rogers Centre.

Toronto wasted no time setting the tone at Dodger Stadium. Davis Schneider launched a leadoff home run to left, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed two pitches later with a blast of his own to make it 2-0 before most fans found their seats.

Dodgers starter Blake Snell settled in after that early shock, but rookie Trey Yesavage stole the show. The 22-year-old right-hander was electric, striking out 12 while allowing just three hits and one run over seven innings of work. Yesavage pounded the zone that generated swings and misses all night.

Los Angeles briefly cut the deficit in half when Enrique Hernández homered in the third, but Toronto answered with Daulton Varsho’s triple and Ernie Clement’s sacrifice fly to restore momentum. A four-run seventh sealed it: Addison Barger scored on a wild pitch, Bo Bichette drove in another with a line single to right, as Toronto’s lineup once again delivered from top to bottom.

Seranthony Domínguez handled the eighth inning, and Jeff Hoffman closed it out as Toronto took two straight in Southern California after dropping the 18-inning series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The series shifts north on Friday. Game 6 is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre, where Kevin Gausman (2-2, 2.55 ERA) will start for Toronto opposite Los Angeles ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-1, 1.57 ERA).

The Blue Jays have outscored the Dodgers 12-3 over the past two contests, their offense showing balance and patience through all nine spots. With momentum on their side and a city ready to erupt, Toronto has a chance on Friday to turn decades of hope into celebration.