Yanks top Tribe to advance
Didi Gregorius, following in the October footsteps left by Derek Jeter, hit two home runs against Corey Kluber as the Yankees beat the host Indians 5- 2 in Game 5 on Wednesday to complete their comeback from a 2- 0 deficit in the American League Division Series and dethrone the reigning AL champions.
The bend- but- don’t- break Yankees staved off elimination for the fourth time in this postseason and advanced to play the Astros in the AL Championship Series starting Friday at Minute Maid Park.
‘‘ It’s just our time,’’ Yankees starter CC Sabathia said.
The AL West champion Astros, led by 5- 6 dynamo and MVP candidate Jose Altuve, went 5- 2 against the Yankees this season.
After winning twice in New York, manager Joe Girardi and the Yankees — with little offensive help from rookie star Aaron Judge — came into Progressive Field and finished off the Indians, who won 102 games during the regular sea- son, ripped off a historic 22- game winning streak and were favored to get back to the World Series after losing in seven games a year ago to the Cubs.
The Indians’ World Series drought turns 70 next year, the longest dry spell in baseball.
The Indians closed to 3- 2 in the fifth against Sabathia before David Robertson pitched 2⅔ hitless innings to earn the victory. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who faced the Indians in the World Series last season as a member of the Cubs and signed an $ 86 million free- agent contract in December, worked two innings for the save.
Chapman went to the mound with a three- run lead in the ninth after Brett Gardner battled Cody Allen for 12 pitches before hitting an RBI single. The Yankees’ fifth run scored when Todd Frazier raced home on right fielder Jay Bruce’s throwing error.
The baby Bronx Bombers became the 10th team to overcome a 2- 0 deficit in a best- of- five playoff series. The Yankees also did it in 2001, rallying to beat the Athletics in a series remembered for Jeter’s backhand flip to home plate.
Red Sox fire manager Farrell
The Red Sox fired manager John Farrell after losing in the American League Division Series the last two seasons. Farrell’s contract was scheduled to run through next season.
The Red Sox won a second consecutive AL East title for the first time in franchise history this season despite losing slugger David Ortiz to retirement.
Japanese star to have surgery
Japanese player Shohei Otani will have surgery on his right ankle.
The reigning Pacific League MVP is prized as both a pitcher and hitter. He is likely to leave Japan and sign with a major- league team through the posting system during the offseason.