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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernandez celebrates with second baseman Charlie Culberson after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the 2017 NLCS at Wrigley Field.Dennis Wierzbicki

Kike Hernandez homered three times and drove in seven runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers romped past the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Thursday night behind Clayton Kershaw to reach the World Series for the first time in almost three decades.

Kershaw breezed through six crisp innings and Cody Bellinger had three hits as Los Angeles ended Chicago's title defence with a dominant performance in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series.

Hernandez connected on the first two pitches he saw, belting a solo drive in the second against Jose Quintana and a grand slam in the third against Hector Rondon. Hernandez added a two-run shot in the ninth against Mike Montgomery.

It's the first pennant for one of baseball's most storied franchises since Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda managed Los Angeles to its last championship in 1988. The Dodgers will host the Yankees or Astros in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night.

Sprinter Andre De Grasse says he is happy to have another opportunity to compete on home turf. Athletics Canada announced Thursday Toronto will host the 2018 NACAC Track and Field Championships in August.

The Canadian Press

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