Yankees sweep Twins, advance to ALCS

The New York Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series for the second time in three years after sweeping the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS on Monday.

Gleyber Torres hit his first career postseason home run to open the scoring, and the Yankees just chipped away from there, winning the contest 5-1.

The 22-year-old tacked on a pair of doubles and became the youngest Yankee with three extra-base hits in a postseason game. It was good enough for outfielder Aaron Judge to award him the championship belt for the series.

The Twins looked poised to make a late push with a pair of baserunners in the ninth inning, but shortstop Didi Gregorius made the defensive play of the day when he stole a hit on Jorge Polanco's line drive.

Reliever Aroldis Chapman recorded the final five outs, culminating in a strikeout of slugger Nelson Cruz.

New York will play either the Houston Astros or the Tampa Bay Rays. They play Game 4 at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.

It was the 16th consecutive postseason loss for the Twins, matching the Chicago Blackhawks (1975-79) for the longest playoff losing streak in the four major North American sports. Of those defeats, 13 have come against the Yankees.