Game 1 provided a post-season home run derby of sorts as the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox slugged six bombs between them, five of which were solo shots. It would be the Indians, however, who would take the opener of this ALDS series, 5-4, in front of a sold-out crowd of Cleveland faithful. Jason Kipnis drove in two runs, including a 3-for-4 night at the plate for the Tribe who’s offense did all it could to back up a short outing by starter Trevor Bauer who lasted just 4.2 innings giving up three runs on six hits, no free passes, and striking out six Sox hitters before being pulled by manager Terry Francona in the fifth inning for prized trade deadline acquisition, Andrew Miller. The former Yankees stud went two innings of dominant relief striking out four and allowing just two baserunners in relief. The Sox sent 22-game winner Rick Porcello to the hill and the former Tiger struggled, giving up all five of the Cleveland runs, including all three of their home runs. Reliever, Drew Pomeranz, was also dominant in relief going 2.1 innings following Porcello, striking out five and giving up just three hits.
Back in 2014, Corey Kluber won the AL Cy Young Award. Remember that? Well, in game 2 of this ALDS series, he looked every bit like that Cy Young winner of just two years ago. Kluber went seven innings of shut out, dominant baseball allowing just three hits while striking out seven and walking three. The vaunted Red Sox offense had no answers for Cleveland pitching even after Kluber retired for the night. Boston’s starter, 2012 Cy Young winner David Price, continued his post-season struggles lasting just 3.1 innings giving up five runs on six hits, including a second inning, three-run home run to Lonnie Chisenhall. Former Tampa Bay Ray and trade deadline acquisition, Brandon Guyer, had a 3-for-4 night to lead all hitters as the Indians shut out Boston 6-0 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Game 3. Win or go home, for the Boston Red Sox. But even more polarizing than that – the potential that David Ortiz was about to play in his final game in the MLB…in front of his home crowd. Hollywood couldn’t have drawn up a more emotional ending for Papi. The Red Sox would drop the finale, and get swept out of the post-season in Papi’s swan song game, losing game 3 4-3 in front of a sold out crowd at Fenway Park who were more than appreciative of the future Hall of Famer’s legendary career despite the loss. Clay Buchholtz lasted just four innings for the Sox giving up two runs on six hits making way for Drew Pomeranz who didn’t look nearly as dominant as he had two nights earlier, giving up two runs, himself. Josh Tomlin held down the fort for the Tribe for five innings giving up two runs on four hits to get the win in the finale.
The sweep marked the sixth time in their history the Red Sox have been swept in a post-season series with the last four times coming in the ALDS.
Cleveland advances to the ALCS to face the awaiting Toronto Blue Jays. Game 1 is Friday at 8 PM from Cleveland.
Information in this article is courtesy of MLB.com.
