Final Score: Angels 6, Guardians 3
Game Summary
Sean Hjelle got the crowd in it early by escaping trouble in the 1st, and the Guardians loaded the bases with nobody out for Jose Ramirez against the previously-dominant Syndergaard. Ramirez was hit by pitch, and the Guardians took a 1-0 lead. Vinnie Pasquantino followed with a sac fly to make it 2-0, then a two-out throwing error by Anthony Rendon made it 3-0. Hjelle again escaped trouble in the 2nd, keeping momentum going the Guardians' way. The Angels wouldn't stay down for long, however, as a 2-run HR by Mike Trout made it 3-2, and a solo shot by Kole Calhoun two batters later tied it at 3. Max Stassi got in on the action with a solo shot of his own an inning later, giving the Angels a 4-3 lead in another poor outing by Sean Hjelle. The Guardians threatened with 2nd and 3rd 1 out in the 5th, but a diving catch by LF Chris Taylor robbed Jose Ramirez of a hit and kept the Angels in front. Shane Bieber made a surprise relief appearance in the 7th to escape a jam, a curious decision by Guardians manager Aaron Sele, but gave up 2 runs in the 8th on a 2-out, 2-run single by Elvis Andrus. The Guardians would now have to score 3 off of Raisel Iglesias in the 9th. Michael A. Taylor started things off with a single, but Bryson Stott grounded into a double play, and pinch-hitter Brandon Crawford struck out to end it. The Guardians were undone by a lack of any production whatsoever by Carlos Correa, George Valera, and the weakest parts of the roster. The Angels will head to the World Series as the Guardians' 105-win regular season did not lead to a World Series run.
Box Score
https://imgur.com/a/UgsKnz1
The next update will round up the rest of the playoffs and set the stage for the offseason.