Yankees bt Astros to take MLB playoff lead

Oct 19, 2017 - 4:57 AM New York have finally found a way to beat Houston's Dallas Keuchel to claim a 5-0 home win in game five of their American League Championship Series (ALCS).

The Yankees lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and are just one victory from their 41st pennant and first since 2009.

Masahiro Tanaka pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, while Gary Sanchez hit a RBI single off Keuchel and later homered to help the wildcard Yankees make it three straight against the Astros.

The teams head back to Houston for game six on Friday night, when Justin Verlander and the reeling Astros will try to regain their footing after an off day.

Luis Severino is scheduled to start for New York.

The Yankees have improved to 6-0 at home in the post-season after previously getting past defending AL champions Cleveland.

In Chicago, in the NL Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost for the first time in this year's playoffs, falling 3-2 on Wednesday night to Jake Arrieta and the Cubs.

Alex Wood finally returned to the mound and a familiar problem followed him all the way to game four.

Wood surrendered three solo homers in his first start in three weeks.

The 26-year-old Wood, who had a career-high 16 wins this season, had been lined up for game four of the NLDS, but Los Angeles swept Arizona in three games.

The Dodgers then took the first three against the Cubs, giving the left-hander a chance to pitch the franchise into their first World Series since their 1988 triumph.

Game five is on Thursday night at Wrigley Field. Ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw pitches for Los Angeles, and Jose Quintana gets the ball for Chicago.

Source: AAP