The Indians got one step closer to celebrating the franchise's first World Series title since 1948 with a 6-0 win over the Cubs in Game 1 at Progressive Field on Tuesday night, thanks in large part to clutch performances from starting pitcher Corey Kluber, reliever Andrew Miller and catcher Roberto Pérez.
Below is a look at each of those signature moments and how they impacted Cleveland's big win. Cast your vote for the best performance on Twitter @MLB.
• Game 2: Tonight, 7 ET game time on FOX (6 ET pregame show on FS1)
Kluber's dominant start
The Indians' ace continued his stellar postseason by quieting a potent Cubs lineup for six-plus innings in Game 1. Kluber did not allow a run, yielding only four hits, and struck out nine without issuing a walk.
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Kluber has now given up just two runs through 24 1/3 innings in the postseason, fanning 29 batters against seven walks. His three scoreless outings of six or more innings this postseason tied a Major League record shared by Madison Bumgarner (2014 San Francisco Giants), Kenny Rogers ('06 Detroit Tigers) and Christy Mathewson (1905 New York Giants). Kluber also established a World Series record with eight strikeouts in his first three innings.
Miller's big-time K's
Miller followed Kluber's dominant outing with an impressive pitching appearance of his own, extinguishing Chicago's greatest threat of the night. The left-hander entered the game in the seventh with a runner on first and issued a walk to Kyle Schwarber -- only his second to a left-handed batter all year. The Cubs' Javier Báez then loaded the bases with a single to left.
Miller escaped the jam by retiring his next three batters, including two on back-to-back strikeouts, bringing his October total to 24 through 13 2/3 innings. He's now faced five batters with the bases loaded this season and he's struck out four of them without allowing a run.
Miller also turned in a scoreless eighth, extending his postseason scoreless streak to 22 innings.
Don't forget to vote for the World Series Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet, starting in the sixth inning of the first potential Fall Classic-clinching game.
Perez's big blasts
Perez's first multihomer game came at a crucial time, as the third-year catcher went deep twice, accounting for four of Cleveland's six runs. He became just the fifth catcher in history to homer twice in a World Series game.
Perez followed the Indians' two-run first inning with a homer off Cubs ace Jon Lester in the fourth, giving the Tribe a 3-0 advantage. He later belted a three-run homer in the eighth to extend the lead to 6-0, which was more than enough for closer Cody Allen to secure the victory.