Indians defeat Blue Jays, advance to World Series

The Cleveland Indians celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays with a score of 3 to 0 in game five of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2016 in Toronto, Canada.

(Oct. 19, 2016 - Source: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America)

The Cleveland Indians win at the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 to win the AL Championship Series in five games and advance to the World Series.

Cleveland took an early lead in the opening inning. SS Francisco Lindor hit a single with two outs and advanced to third base on a double by 1B Mike Napoli. A fielding error by RF Ezequiel Carrera, however, enabled Francisco Lindor to come home for the first run of the game.

1B Carlos Santana hit a one-out home run in the third inning and CF Coco Crisp added a two-out homer in the fourth to put the Indians up 3-0.

CL Cody Allen pitched a one-hitter in the ninth to earn his 3rd save of the ALCS. He finished the series with an immaculate ERA and a 0.43 WHIP. He has yet to allow an earned run in this year’s postseason and has a 1.04 WHIP to show for.

Ryan Merritt got the start for Cleveland, despite having only pitched 11 innings in the Major League, and he did not disappoint. He worked 4.1 innings, giving up 2 hits while striking out 3.

Toronto’s SP Marco Estrada (0-2) pitched 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while fanning 7. He has a 2.57 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP in the ALCS.

The Indians win the AL pennant for the first time since 1997. Their last World Series title dates back to 1948.

Cleveland will face the winner of the NLCS between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. The World Series is scheduled to start on 25 October.