Trey Yesavage held down MLB’s best offence on Wednesday, gave the Toronto Blue Jays a chance, and they scraped by the Washington Nationals 5-2 for their first series win since July 6-8, when they defeated the San Francisco Giants.

One day after his 23rd birthday, the Blue Jays rookie continued to exhibit improved control over 6.2 innings of one-run ball, allowing six baserunners and striking out four. Outside of a couple of at-bats where Yesavage lost the zone, including a pair of four-pitch walks, his control was strong. He threw 59% of his pitches for strikes, including 61% of his fastballs, as he dotted them on the edges for groundouts and popouts.

The Blue Jays had plenty of chances before breaking through in the seventh, going 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position and leaving 12 runners on base. They also kept the game close by making several difficult defensive plays.

In the top of the first, the Blue Jays tried a double steal with runners on the corners and one out, but Okamoto pulled up too late and was easily tagged for a strike-’em-out, throw-’em-out double play to end the inning. In the bottom half, Brady House sent a 400-foot blast to deep centre, but Varsho made a signature leaping catch at the wall to take away what would have at least been extra bases, if not more. Andrés Giménez also made a spectacular diving stop to nab the lead runner at third in the eighth.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was out of the lineup after sustaining a right hamstring strain while running the bases in the top of the third inning on Tuesday. Manager John Schneider told reporters before the game that Guerrero would “probably” be able to pinch-hit, if needed.

And with only five days left until the August 3 trade deadline, trades are sure to start flowing soon. Kevin Gausman is lined up to make what could be his final Blue Jays start Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals — unless they opt to hold him back. George Springer has been red-hot in July, hitting four home runs, driving in 12, and logging a .895 OPS. Other expiring contracts, Shane Bieber and Varsho, have had more mixed performances but will surely still be coveted for their previous post-season experience alone.