Jays on the brink

Photo: Twitter - Toronto Blue Jays

The Cleveland Indians have sent the Toronto Blue Jays to the brink of elimination.

The Tribe, forced to go to their bullpen in the first inning, again stymied Toronto hitters in a 4-2 win at Rogers Centre Monday night.

Cleveland leads the best-of-seven American League Championship Series 3-0. They can advance to the World Series with a win Tuesday afternoon.

Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer only lasted two-thirds of an inning before being forced to leave when blood began gushing from a cut on his baby finger. The finger required 10 stitches following an accident with one of his drones last week.

While the bullpen kept Toronto hitters off balance, Mike Napoli provided all the offence they would need.

Napoli doubled home one in the first then belted a solo home run off Marcus Stroman in the fourth. He scored the insurance run during a two run sixth.

The Jays twice battled back from one-run deficits.

Michael Saunders tied it at one with a solo shot in the second when, trailing 2-1, Ryan Goins' ground out scored Ezequiel Carrera from third in the fifth. Carrera had opened the inning with a triple.

The Tribe came right back in their half of the sixth. Jason Kipnis homered before Napoli came home with the 4-2 run.

Andrew Miller worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to nail down the save.

The Blue Jays, who swept past Texas to reach the ALCS, have scored just three runs over the first three games of this series. Cleveland has scored just eight, but find themselves one win away from advancing.

Tuesday's fourth game begins at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.