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BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox advanced to baseball's World Series with a crushing 11-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians, taking the American League Championship series 4-3.
Boston will be making their 11th appearance at the World Series when they host the Colorado Rockies in the opening game on Friday, and aim to claim a second title in four seasons.
Boston scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to complete a stunning rally from a 1-3 series deficit.
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia led the onslaught, blasting a two-run home run in the seventh inning and a three-run double in the eighth as Boston outscored Cleveland 40-8 in their four victories in the series.
On the mound, Japanese rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka worked the first five innings to pick up his first post-season victory, while Jonathan Papelbon pitched the last two innings.
The game ended on a sensational catch by Coco Crisp in deep right-centrefield, triggering wild celebrations on the field as the sell-out crowd roared from the stands.
The Red Sox collected nine hits off Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook through the first four innings, but three double-plays limited Boston's scoring as they only managed one run in each of the first three innings.
Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett was named MVP of the series after winning games one and five.
The World Series opponents did meet in the regular season when the Rockies beat the Red Sox 2-1 in a three-game inter-league series.
- Reuters
