MLB: Cleveland 7, Boston 3

Oct 17, 12:07 AM

Current Headlines: Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run homer in a seven-run fifth inning Tuesday as Cleveland pounded Boston 7-3 for a 3-1 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Casey Blake started the fifth with a home run for the Indians, who will try to wrap up the best-of-7 series Thursday night at home in Game 5. The American League champ will play the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

Cleveland starter Paul Byrd (1-0) went five-plus innings, allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. The Indians are one win away from their first World Series appearance since 1997.

Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning for the losing Red Sox. It was the second time in postseason history the feat has been accomplished

Boston's Tim Wakefield cruised through the first four innings. But Cleveland chased him from the game in the fifth as he left after 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with seven strikeouts.