CLEVELAND (AP) – Didi Gregorius, following in the October footprints left by Derek Jeter, homered twice off Corey Kluber as the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 5-2 in Game 5 on Wednesday night to complete their comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the Division Series and dethrone the AL champions.
These bend-but-don’t-break Yankees staved off elimination for the fourth time in this postseason and advanced to play the Houston Astros in the AL Championship Series starting Friday at Minute Maid Park.
The AL West champion Astros, led by 5-foot-6 second-base dynamo and MVP candidate Jose Altuve, went 5-2 against the wild-card winners this season.
New York Yankees’ Didi Gregorius points to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber during the third inning of Game 5 of a baseball American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
After winning twice in New York, 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 season, ripped off a historic 22-game streak and were favored to get back to the World Series after losing in seven games a year ago to the Chicago Cubs.
Cleveland’s Series drought turns 70 next year – baseball’s longest dry spell.
New York Yankees’ Didi Gregorius, right, is congratulated by Brett Gardner after Gregorius hit a two-run home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber during the third inning of Game 5 of a baseball American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. Gardner scored on the play. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman delivers during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game 5 of a baseball American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of Game 5 of the baseball team’s American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, right, talks with catcher Gary Sanchez during the fifth inning of Game 5 of the team’s baseball American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona watches in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the baseball team’s American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Indians’ Edwin Encarnacion reacts after striking out against New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia during the fourth inning of Game 5 of a baseball American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Indians’ Roberto Perez hits an RBI single off New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia during the fifth inning of Game 5 of a baseball American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
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