Chicago Cubs come alive early and force a Game 7

With their backs against the wall, the Chicago Cubs erupted early on Cleveland’s starter. Despite a few hiccups late in the game, they managed to keep the Indians at bay, forcing a Game 7.

It looked as if the Chicago Cubs were down and out of this World Series as soon as the Cleveland Indians grabbed a 3-1 series lead. However, Joe Maddon‘s Cubs refused to give up, winning Game 6 and 7 to even things up.

They have found themselves in a couple of battles so far in October. One coming against the San Francisco Giants and the second against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers. On the other side of the league, Cleveland cruised through the postseason.

Tonight’s starter, Josh Tomlin, was lights out in his first appearance against the Cubs last week. He pitched Game 6 on short days rest and was on the receiving end of a huge loss.

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Prior to first pitch, the middle of Chicago’s lineup was highlighted. Placing Kyle Schwarber ahead of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo was a bit of a headscratcher but it paid off. Schwarber had a hit in the game but it didn’t come until later on.

Chicago struck in the first inning of the game, mainly on a miscue between the center and right fielder. It was Bryant who swatted his second World Series home run in back-to-back games, giving Jake Arrieta a 1-0 lead.

Jumping Ahead Early

Moments after Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist singled with one out, Addison Russell blooped a pitch out to right-center. Both Lonnie Chisenhall and Tyler Naquin had trouble, resulting in the ball dropping between the two.

Later, on in the fourth inning, Russell stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and only one out in the inning. Cleveland skipper Terry Francona pulled his starter, Josh Tomlin from the game, and summoned Dan Otero from his bullpen.

On the third pitch of the at-bat, Russell pounced all over a slider and drilled it out to left-center field for a grand slam. This extended Chicago’s lead to 7-0 but the Cleveland Indians refused to go down with a fight.

Mainly, Chicago-native, Jason Kipnis. Kipnis broke up Arrieta’s early no-hitter with a double out to left field and later scored. Kipnis followed that up with a solo home run over the wall out in left, cutting Chicago’s lead down to five.

Chapman, Again?

Arrieta was pulled after 5 2/3 as he was charged with two earned runs on three hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts. Mike Montgomery entered the game in his place and gave up one hit and issued a walk in a single inning of work.

Then Joe Maddon decided to roll with his closer, Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning. A questionable call following Game 6 where muscled out an eight-out save. Chapman raced Francisco Lindor to the bag on a ground ball hit to Anthony Rizzo and beat him to retire the side.

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Aroldis took the mound in the ninth after Anthony Rizzo launched a two-run homer in the top half and issued a walk to lead things off. Maddon jogged out to the pen to pull his closer, bringing in Pedro Strop.

Now, the Cubs will have another tough task at hand as Francona will send his ace, Corey Kluber to the mound. Francona was not forced to use Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw, or his own closer, Cody Allen.

All three men will be available and ready to go in Game 7.