Whew! What a nail bitting game for Cubs fans to watch Sunday night as Chicago faced elimination in front of the home crowd. Not so fast Cleveland, the series switches back to the city on Lake Erie Tuesday night after brilliant pitching performances by starter Jon Lester and a 8 out save by closer Aroldis Chapman.
The Indians got on the board first when Lester gave up a solo home run to Jose Ramirez for a 1-0 early lead.
The Cubs offense did all their damage in the bottom of the fourth inning against Indians starter Trevor Bauer. Bauer gave up a leadoff homer to Kris Bryant to notch the game at 1-1. He then gave up three consecutive hits to Anthony Rizzo who doubled, Ben Zobrist who singled and Addison Russell who reached on an infield single that scored Rizzo. Jason Heyward struck out bringing up Javier Baez who then laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases. Catcher David Ross came to the plate and hit a fly ball to left field that was caught, but the out scored Zobrist from third. Ross gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead at that point and his last RBI at Wrigley Field since he is hanging them up at the end of the season.
Cleveland tallied one more score in their half of the sixth when Rajai Davis singled and abruptly stole second base. Jason Kipnis struck out swinging bringing Francisco Lindor to the plate, Lindor singled to center scoring Davis. Ross gunned down Lindor trying to steal to end the threat and secure the 3-2 lead.
The final 8 outs was left to Chapman and boy did he deliver. Chapman dominated as he struck out four to secure the longest save of his career. That was the first time Chapman pitched in the seventh inning since 2012. 15 of his 42 pitches were clocked at 100 mph or faster. The victory was the first for the Cubs at Wrigley since Game 6 in 1945.
The Cubs will send to the mound former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta as he will face Josh Tomlin at Progressive Field for Game 6. Chicago will try and become the first team to overcome a 3-1 World Series deficit since the 1985 George Brett led Kansas City Royals.
Evan’s Take
With the series going back to Cleveland the Cubs have the momentum to potentially take the series after being down 3-1. Kyle Schwarber will be back in the lineup on Tuesday as the DH to give the team more fire power. Arrieta and Hendricks will need to amp it up and stymie the Indians bats. Baez and Willson Contreras must stop swinging at garbage pitches and getting themselves out rather than working the count and hitting their pitch. Those 2 young guns will need to play a major part for the Cubs to come back from this deficit. But, it can be done.
