The Cleveland Indians claim Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays with a decisive 2-0 win.
The Cleveland Indians took control of the American League Championship Series by winning Game 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-0. The Jays had plenty of chances to score with runners in scoring position in the ALCS opener, but the runs never came in.
Pitcher Corey Kluber started for the Indians. Kluber wasn’t ready until Game 2 of the American League Division Series last week after suffering a pulled quad on Sept. 26.
After getting some much needed rest, Kluber won that game and looked great on the mound today after getting full rest after the Tribe swept the Red Sox in three games. Kluber went 6 1/3 innings with only six hits and no earned runs, and six strikeouts. He was able to keep the Blue Jays scoreless for Andrew Miller in relief and Cody Allen for the save.
The only runs in the game were courtesy of Francisco Lindor’s two run homer in the sixth inning. Lindor went 2-4 in the game with a double, while ALDS standout Lonnie Chisenhall was 3-3 with three singles on the night.
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The Blue Jays kept pitcher Marco Estrada in the game for eight innings, and he allowed six hits with two earned runs and six strikeouts.
It’s fair to say that Estrada’s pitching was evenly matched to Kluber and the game might have gone into extra innings had Lindor not hit the home run. Jose Bautista struggled throughout the game, going 0-3 with a walk and three strikeouts.
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One noteworthy item came before the game began when news of ALDS Game 1 starter for the Indians, Trevor Bauer, was sidelined with what’s being called a “drone accident.” Bauer cut the top of his finger earlier today and as a result won’t be able to play until Monday.
Game 2 of the ALCS is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on TBS.