Indians Rely on Bullpen to Rip Blue Jays for 3-0 Series Lead

Bryan Shaw retired five of the six batters to lead a Cleveland Indians bullpen that took over from starter Trevor Bauer in fashioning out a 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the ALCS, Monday night at Rogers Centre.

The Indians now lead the series 3-0 and another win will send them to the World Series. The bullpen took over from starter Trevor Bauer, who had to exit after throwing against four batters due to a cut on his right pinky.

Other members of the bullpen who contributed were Dan Otero and Jeff Manship, who had four out each, and Zach McAllister, who recorded three, CBS Sports reported. Indians manager Terry Francona noted that their bullpen did one of the most amazing jobs he's ever seen.

According to Otero, the Indians' relievers were prepared to step in even before Bauer bled all over the mound. In the seventh, the Indians turned to closer Cody Allen, a right-hander, which Francona preferred against the Blue Jays' righties in middle of their batting order. Allen contributed five outs before the Indians turned to Andrew Miller to close out the Blue Jays, which he did in an overpowering manner.

Mike Napoli was pivotal in three of the Indians' runs. His RBI double against Marcus Stroman allowed Carlos Santana to score in the first. Then Napoli homered in the fourth. In the sixth, a Jose Ramirez single brought home Napoli to make it 4-2 for the Indians, ESPN reported.

Michael Saunders homered for the Jays in the second while Ezequiel Carrera added a run after Ryan Goins was grounded out to pitch in the fifth that tied the game, 2-2.

The Indians remain undefeated in six playoff games. Indians ace Corey Kluber will start in Game 4. The Blue Jays haven't tasted the lead in any of the three games of the series and have so far totaled only three runs.