The Cleveland Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series thanks to a two-run homer by Francisco Lindor and a shutdown performance by ace pitcher Corey Kluber.
Lindor provided all the game’s offense when he took advantage of a mistake by Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada, who otherwise pitched as well as Kluber. The two pitchers exchanged zeroes until Lindor slugged his homer in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Kluber pitched 6.1 scoreless innings, scattering six hits and two walks while striking out six batters. It was his second scoreless start of six-plus innings this postseason.
Both Lindor and Kluber played in the Midwest League. Lindor batted .257 with 6 HR, 42 RBI and 27 SB in 122 games with the 2012 Lake County Captains. Kluber went 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 56 innings for the 2008 Fort Wayne Wizards.