2016 ALCS Recap: Indians Shut Out Blue Jays, 3-0, Advance to World Series
Carlos Santana and Coco Crisp hit solo home runs to back the shutout pitching of four Cleveland hurlers, and the Indians beat the Blue Jays, 3-0, to win the 2016 American League pennant in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon.
Cleveland advanced to its first World Series since 1997 with the victory, defeating Toronto, 4-1, in the best-of-seven league championship series. They'll play the winner of the National League Championship Series between the Cubs and the Dodgers. Los Angeles currently leads the best-of-seven NLCS, 2-1.
Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller, who was named the series’ most valuable player, pitched two and two-thirds scoreless innings in Game 5. Miller threw 7.2 total innings in the series. He allowed no runs or walks, just three hits, and struck out 14 of the 26 batters he faced in four games.
Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor scored in the first inning on Wednesday when Jays’ outfielder Ezequiel Carrera misplayed Mike Napoli’s double. Santana and Crisp added solo homers in the third and fourth innings, respectively, to pad the lead.
Indians’ reliever Bryan Shaw got the win, with Cody Allen securing the save, his third of the series.
Marco Estrada took the loss for Toronto. The Blue Jays big bats managed just six hits in the elimination game and were shut out for the second time in the series.
2016 ALCS Recap: Indians beat Blue Jays, 4-1
Game 1: Cleveland 2, Toronto 0
Game 2: Cleveland 2, Toronto 1
Game 3: Cleveland 4, Toronto 2
Game 4: Toronto 5, Cleveland 1
Game 5: Cleveland 3, Toronto 0
Best-of-seven series