(AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken control of the National League Championship Series by blanking the Chicago Cubs for the second straight game.
Rich Hill combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as the Dodgers beat the Cubs, 6-0, to take a two-games-to-one lead. Hill struck out six and held Chicago to two hits and two walks over six innings. The left-hander was sharp after surrendering five runs over seven innings during his two starts in the division series.
Yasmani Grandal, Corey Seager and Justin Turner highlighted the Dodgers’ 10-hit attack. Grandal crushed a two-run homer in the fourth off losing pitcher Jake Arrieta and capped the scoring with an RBI grounder in the eighth. Seager opened the scoring with one of his three hits, an RBI single in the third. Turner launched a solo blast in the sixth to end Arrieta’s night.
Arrieta was reached for four runs and six hits over five-plus innings.
The Cubs haven’t scored since they put together a five-run eighth in the series opener. Dodgers starters have limited Chicago to three runs and eight hits over 17 innings.
Game 4 is Wednesday in Los Angeles. John Lackey will try to help the Cubs even the series. The Dodgers will go with Julio Urias.
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 Cleveland 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, when the Blue Jays will send Marco Estrada to the mound against rookie Ryan Merritt.
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