Indians Within One Win of AL Pennant

By ESPN

Before the Cleveland Indians could even consider giving the ball to Andrew Miller, their bullpen faced a daunting task in the very first inning.

After Trevor Bauer's bloody exit , these remarkable relievers had to stitch together almost an entire game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Four outs apiece for Dan Otero and Jeff Manship. Three for Zach McAllister. Five each for winner Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen.

After all that, Cleveland finally turned to Miller, who was overpowering again in closing out a 4-2 victory that moved the Indians within one win of their first pennant since 1997.

"If anybody has a hiccup, we probably lose," manager Terry Francona said Monday night after his team took a 3-0 lead in the AL Championship Series. "They all made pitches against some really good hitters."

Jason Kipnis and Mike Napoli homered for the Indians, unbeaten in six playoff games this year. They can complete their second consecutive series sweep on Tuesday.

In the bullpen's most impressive feat yet this October, six relievers combined for 25 outs and 128 pitches while limiting Toronto to two runs and seven hits. Miller got four outs for the save.

"The bullpen was unbelievable," Bauer said. "Co-MVP to everybody."

Indians ace Corey Kluber is scheduled to start Game 4 on short rest after Bauer's drone-related finger injury created more upheaval in a rotation that's been short-handed all postseason. Bauer faced four batters before getting pulled when his stitched-up right pinkie began dripping blood.

Enter those stingy relievers, who pitched the Indians to a Division Series sweep over Boston and have them on the verge of another. Cleveland is one win from its sixth World Series appearance.

The hard-hitting Blue Jays have mustered only three runs in the series and have never led.

"We felt like we had an opportunity with some of their lower-leverage guys coming out of the bullpen, but they've got good arms," Toronto outfielder Kevin Pillar said. "It makes it tough when you're facing a different guy every inning, every at-bat."

Kipnis led off the sixth with a home run to right-center field for a 3-2 edge, and Jose Ramirez added an RBI single. Suddenly, the Indians were just a few outs from being able to turn the game over to Allen and Miller.

They appeared in that order, yet another instance in which Francona maneuvered his bullpen unencumbered by rigid roles.

"It was all hands on deck," Miller said.

Monday, October 17 Scoreboard

Cleveland 4, Toronto 2

ALCS -- Game 3

Tuesday, October 18 Schedule (All Times Central)

Cleveland at Toronto, 3 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 19 Schedule (All Times Central)

Cleveland at Toronto, 3 p.m.

ALCS -- Game 5 if necessary

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 p.m.

NLCS -- Game 4