The Chicago Cubs will face their first elimination game of the playoffs on Sunday. The Cleveland Indians have continued to play well as they won Game 4 7-2 on Saturday night.
Things started off well for the Chicago Cubs. A leadoff double for Dexter Fowler started things off. Anthony Rizzo would bring him home with a RBI single and the Cubs were up on the Cleveland Indians 1-0 after the first inning. But that was where the good times ended for the Cubs.
Indians’ starter Corey Kluber settled in, and the Tribe offense got the run and more right back in the second. Carlos Santana–who got the start at first over Mike Napoli–hit a line drive home run to right field to tie the game at 1-1. After the defense had been solid last night, two errors by Kris Bryant would lead to another run.
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John Lackey survived five innings, but he had to work to do it. He allowed three runs, two of them earned as he took the loss in Game 4 for the Cubs. The game was decided early but the Indians weren’t done. Already up 4-1 in the top of the seventh, Travis Wood came in to relieve Justin Grimm. But he would surrender a three-run home run to Chicago native Jason Kipnis and the Indians rout was on.
After a strong six innings by Kluber, Terry Francona turned it over to Andrew Miller. Miller has been dominant this postseason, but the Cubs showed he was mortal. Fowler connected for a solo home run to make it 7-2, the first run he has allowed all postseason.
The Cubs will turn to Jon Lester tomorrow as they try to stave off elimination. The Indians will send Trevor Bauer to the mound, who started the game the Tribe lost. It’s been historic for the Cubs to make it to the World Series. Now they’ll need to be even more historic as they try to come back, down 3-1 to the Indians.