Even in perhaps the best two-game stretch of his entire run as Toronto Blue Jays manager, John Schneider knows that he\u2019s not always going to be the most popular guy in town.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Schneider\u2019s Blue Jays pulled off a game anyone in attendance will probably never forget.<\/p>\n
While Toronto scored 13 runs on the day to take a 2-0 series lead over the New York Yankees, the biggest star of the game was starting pitcher Trey Yesavage, who put on one of the best performances anyone\u2019s ever had wearing a Jays uniform.<\/p>\n
In just 5.1 innings of work (and only his fourth-ever MLB start), the 22-year-old rookie made Jays postseason history with a franchise-record 11 strikeouts on the day, giving up no hits and just one walk.<\/p>\n
But he actually could\u2019ve probably had a better performance, had he not been pulled after just 78 pitches. More than half-way to what would\u2019ve been the first no-hitter in Blue Jays playoff history, Schneider decided he\u2019d rather play the percentages and let Yesavage go out on top to an ovation from the crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I was getting booed when I went out there but he wasn\u2019t going 120-130 pitches,\u201d Schneider said postgame. \u201cThat was special for him to have that moment\u2026 it was an all-around good day.\u201d<\/p>\n
“I just couldn’t be happier for him. The journey this dude has been on this year is unbelievable.” \u2013 John Schneider on Trey Yesavage@BlueJays<\/a> | #WANTITALL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/51YpAU4DAj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI know the fans probably wanted me to stay out there, but it\u2019s the smart thing to do,\u201d Yesavage explained, as per Sportsnet\u2019s Ben Nicholson-Smith.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n When Yesavage was pulled, the Jays had a 12-0 lead, and a 99.9 per cent shot at winning the game, per ESPN win probability.<\/a> Though some fans probably felt a little antsy once the bullpen started letting in a few more runs than they\u2019d like, they still were never in any real series danger on Sunday of blowing the game completely, finishing with a 13-7 victory.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear when Yesavage will pitch next for Toronto, with uncertainties over how the rest of the series will go. He could be a possible Game 5 starter if Toronto sees the series go the distance, but could also next end up next being used in the American League Championship Series, should the Blue Jays advance.<\/p>\n You might also like:Toronto Blue Jays fans couldn’t get enough of Yesavage’s high-fiving dad<\/a>
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