Indians Rally, Walk-Off For 2-0 Series Lead
The Cleveland Indians are playing like a team that is destined to make another World Series run, and there really isn't much else to debate that fact. The AL Central Champions rallied from an 8-3 deficit to tie the game, leading to a Yan Gomes walk-off RBI single in the 13th inning for a 9-8 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night. The win gives the Indians a 2-0 ALDS lead heading to New York, as they overcame a rough start by ace Corey Kluber. The right-hander gave up six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings, including home runs to Aaron Hicks and Gary Sanchez. After that, Francisco Lindor began the rally for The Tribe with a sixth-inning grand slam to make it a one-run game. Jay Bruce would follow that with a game-tying solo home run in the eighth, which was his second long ball in as many days. That would all lead to Gomes's grounder down the third-base line that scored Austin Jackson, ending the 5-hour, 8-minute epic showdown. The Yankees did have chances to go ahead late, but stranded a runner at third in the ninth and 10th innings, and then had a runner picked off of second base in the 11th. Josh Tomlin threw two scoreless innings in extras to earn the win, as Cleveland handed the Yankees consecutive losses for the first time since August 28-30. The series now shifts to New York for Game 3 on Sunday, where it's a win-or-go-home situation for The Bronx Bombers.
Astros Take Second Straight From Red Sox
As good as the Cleveland Indians have been, many believe the Houston Astros could be the ones to take them down in the American League. The Astros blew past the Boston Red Sox for the second straight day on Friday, as Carlos Correa went deep in an 8-2 victory at Minute Maid Park. Corrrea drove in four runs on the night, while Jose Altuve followed his three-home run performance from Game 1 with two more hits, helping Houston to a 2-0 ALDS lead. George Springer added his first-career postseason home run on the night, as the Astros are looking to hand the Red Sox their second straight ALDS sweep. The long balls supported Dallas Keuchel, who allowed a run on three hits in five-plus innings, improving to 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in three career postseason starts. The one bright spot for Boston was David Price recording another solid relief effort with 2.2 scoreless innings. The series moves over to Fenway Park for Game 3 on Sunday night, where the Astros will send Brad Peacock to the mound. The Red Sox have Doug Fister starting in that one, as they look to keep their season alive in front of their home crowd.
Cubs, Dodgers Take Game 1 in NLDS
The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are the two teams everyone expected back in the NLCS this season, and both teams started on the right track with that on Friday night. Kyle Hendriks threw seven scoreless innings and struck out six in the Cubs' 3-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals. That was enough to out-duel Stephen Strasburg, who struck out 10 over seven innings in the tough loss. Kris Bryant gave the Cubs the lead with an RBI single in the sixth, followed by an RBI single and RBI double for Anthony Rizzo, which was all the run support that was needed. The powerful Nats offense had just two hits on the night, as their postseason struggles seem to have continued early on. They are looking for their first series win since moving to the nation's capital. Meanwhile, Justin Turner's early three-run home run jumpstarted the Los Angeles Dodgers with a three-run shot in the first inning of a 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NLDS. Yasiel Puig added an RBI double in the first, while Turner finished with five RBI on the night, supporting Clayton Kershaw in the first postseason win at home of his career. The ace pitched into the seventh inning and struck out seven on the night, improving his overall playoff record to 5-7. The Diamondbacks tried to make things interesting late with home runs from A.J. Pollock, J.D. Martinez, Ketel Marte, and Jeff Mathis, but it was not enough to complete the comeback. Both the Cubs and Dodgers will look to take 2-0 series lead when the series continues on Saturday night.
The Cleveland Indians are playing like a team that is destined to make another World Series run, and there really isn't much else to debate that fact. The AL Central Champions rallied from an 8-3 deficit to tie the game, leading to a Yan Gomes walk-off RBI single in the 13th inning for a 9-8 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night. The win gives the Indians a 2-0 ALDS lead heading to New York, as they overcame a rough start by ace Corey Kluber. The right-hander gave up six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings, including home runs to Aaron Hicks and Gary Sanchez. After that, Francisco Lindor began the rally for The Tribe with a sixth-inning grand slam to make it a one-run game. Jay Bruce would follow that with a game-tying solo home run in the eighth, which was his second long ball in as many days. That would all lead to Gomes's grounder down the third-base line that scored Austin Jackson, ending the 5-hour, 8-minute epic showdown. The Yankees did have chances to go ahead late, but stranded a runner at third in the ninth and 10th innings, and then had a runner picked off of second base in the 11th. Josh Tomlin threw two scoreless innings in extras to earn the win, as Cleveland handed the Yankees consecutive losses for the first time since August 28-30. The series now shifts to New York for Game 3 on Sunday, where it's a win-or-go-home situation for The Bronx Bombers.
Astros Take Second Straight From Red Sox
As good as the Cleveland Indians have been, many believe the Houston Astros could be the ones to take them down in the American League. The Astros blew past the Boston Red Sox for the second straight day on Friday, as Carlos Correa went deep in an 8-2 victory at Minute Maid Park. Corrrea drove in four runs on the night, while Jose Altuve followed his three-home run performance from Game 1 with two more hits, helping Houston to a 2-0 ALDS lead. George Springer added his first-career postseason home run on the night, as the Astros are looking to hand the Red Sox their second straight ALDS sweep. The long balls supported Dallas Keuchel, who allowed a run on three hits in five-plus innings, improving to 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in three career postseason starts. The one bright spot for Boston was David Price recording another solid relief effort with 2.2 scoreless innings. The series moves over to Fenway Park for Game 3 on Sunday night, where the Astros will send Brad Peacock to the mound. The Red Sox have Doug Fister starting in that one, as they look to keep their season alive in front of their home crowd.
Cubs, Dodgers Take Game 1 in NLDS
The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are the two teams everyone expected back in the NLCS this season, and both teams started on the right track with that on Friday night. Kyle Hendriks threw seven scoreless innings and struck out six in the Cubs' 3-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals. That was enough to out-duel Stephen Strasburg, who struck out 10 over seven innings in the tough loss. Kris Bryant gave the Cubs the lead with an RBI single in the sixth, followed by an RBI single and RBI double for Anthony Rizzo, which was all the run support that was needed. The powerful Nats offense had just two hits on the night, as their postseason struggles seem to have continued early on. They are looking for their first series win since moving to the nation's capital. Meanwhile, Justin Turner's early three-run home run jumpstarted the Los Angeles Dodgers with a three-run shot in the first inning of a 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NLDS. Yasiel Puig added an RBI double in the first, while Turner finished with five RBI on the night, supporting Clayton Kershaw in the first postseason win at home of his career. The ace pitched into the seventh inning and struck out seven on the night, improving his overall playoff record to 5-7. The Diamondbacks tried to make things interesting late with home runs from A.J. Pollock, J.D. Martinez, Ketel Marte, and Jeff Mathis, but it was not enough to complete the comeback. Both the Cubs and Dodgers will look to take 2-0 series lead when the series continues on Saturday night.
