Dodgers beat Cubs, reach MLB World Series

Oct 20, 2017 - 4:47 AM The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in Major League Baseball's World Series for the first time since 1988, beating Chicago 11-1 to clinch the National League Championship series 4-1.

Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernandez struck three home runs, including a grand slam in the third inning, and drove in seven runs on Thursday at Chicago's Wrigley Field.

The Dodgers will meet New York or Houston in the World Series, which starts on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Yankees lead the Astros 3-2 in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series ahead of Friday's game six in Houston and, if needed, game seven on Saturday.

The Dodgers have won the World Series five times since moving in 1958 from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, most recently in their last trip to the 'Fall Classic'.

"Feels good to hear (the words) 'World Series'," LA starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. "It's been a long time coming for this team. I never thought in a million years I'd get to play a World Series.

"I don't know how to compare it to years past but everybody has a role and everybody executes. It just seems like there's a different superstar every night."

While the Dodgers celebrated, the Cubs' season concluded with barely a whimper, 12 months after they ended a century-long drought by beating the Cleveland Indians in the seventh game of the World Series.

The Cubs were never in it on Thursday, as the Dodgers batters jumped all over Chicago starter Jose Quintana.

The Colombian left-hander barely made it out of the second inning, replaced by Hector Rondon with nobody out and the bases loaded in the third.

Rondon quickly struck out Logan Forsythe before Hernandez sent the first pitch he faced over the ivy wall to make the score 7-0, effectively ending the contest.

Hernandez matched a major league playoff record with seven RBIs, while every position player had at least one hit for Los Angeles as they racked up 16 to the Cubs' four.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon lamented his team's lack of offence in the series, but also complimented the LA pitching.

"Give the Dodgers credit, they pitched well, had a great plan, stuck to it, didn't walk anybody," he said.

Source: AAP