TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have extended the American League Championship Series to a fifth game.
Aaron Sanchez worked six strong innings and the Blue Jays avoided a four-game sweep by downing the Indians, 5-1. Sanchez limited the Indians to a run and two hits with five strikeouts to help Toronto force a Game 5.
The Blue Jays awoke from their offensive slumber after managing just three runs and 17 hits over the first three games of the series. Third baseman Josh Donaldson opened the scoring with a solo homer in the bottom of the third, two innings before his diving stop likely prevented a game-tying run. Donaldson’s blast gave the Jays their first lead of the series.
Edwin Encarnacion added a two-run single in the seventh to give Toronto breathing room.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen came through with three perfect innings to cap the combined two-hitter. Cleveland couldn’t put a runner on base following an RBI double by Roberto Perez in the fifth.
Losing pitcher Corey Kluber lasted just five innings while pitching on short rest for the first time in his career, charged with two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts. Kluber tossed shutout ball in his two previous postseason starts.
Game 5 is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., when the Blue Jays will send Marco Estrada to the mound against rookie Ryan Merritt.