Boston first baseman Pearce named World Series MVP

Oct 28, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce (25) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series on Sunday after helping his team capture their fourth Major League Baseball championship in the last 15 seasons.

Pearce hit a two-run home run in the first inning of the clinching game to put the visitors ahead 2-0 and then launched a solo shot in the eighth inning that gave Boston a 5-1 lead that held up as the final score.

Oct 28, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce (25) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Frank Pingue)