TORONTO (AP) – The Kansas City Royals are one victory away from returning to the World Series. Ben Zobrist tagged R.A. Dickey for a two-run homer in a four-run first inning, Alex Rios went deep leading off the second and the Royals routed the Toronto Blue Jays 14-2 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series.
Alcides Escobar had four RBIs. Cain drove in three runs as the Royals bounced back from an 11-8 loss Monday. Kansas City led 5-2 in the seventh before breaking away with nine runs late.
The Royals can return to the World Series with a victory in Game 5 in Toronto Wednesday. The Royals send out Edinson Volquez for the clincher against Toronto’s Marco Estrada.
The New York Mets are one victory away from sweeping the Chicago Cubs and going to their first World Series since 2000.
Daniel Murphy tied a major league record by homering in his fifth straight postseason game in leading the Mets past the Cubs 5-2 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their National League Championship Series. It was the Mets’ first win at Wrigley Field since May 19, 2013.
The Mets got a run-scoring double from Yoenis Cespedes to take an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Cespedes and David Wright each had three hits.
Jason deGrom won his third road game of the postseason. He allowed two runs on four hits, striking out seven in seven innings. Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia finished up with two scoreless innings of relief. It was Familia’s fifth save of the playoffs.
The lone bright spot for the Cubs was Kyle Schwarber’s home run in the first inning. That’s his fifth homer of the postseason, setting a Cubs franchise record.
The Mets send out rookie Steven Matz as they go for the sweep tonight. Jason Hammel goes for the Cubs.
