The World Series – Game 7 – Cubs 8, Indians 7 – 10 innings
WP – Aroldis Chapman (1-0, BS 1) LP – Bryan Shaw (0-1) Save – Mike Montgomery (1)
The Cubs Win! The Cubs Win The World Series! The Cubs are the Champions of Baseball after pulling out a win in an epic Game 7 of The World Series.
With the game tied at six after nine innings, Game 7 was placed in a rain delay before the 10th inning got underway. During the rain delay, a players meeting led by Jason Heyward was exactly what the Cubs needed.
Kyle Schwarber (3-for-5) started the 10th with a single to right. Albert Almora Jr. ran for Schwarber and he tagged and went to second on a deep fly out to right center from Kris Bryant (1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored). And that productive out changed the game. Anthony Rizzo (1-for-3 with a walk, a HBP, a run scored and a RBI) was intentionally walked.
Ben Zobrist (1-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI) doubled down the left field line. Almora Jr. scored and the Cubs took a 7-6 lead. Addison Russell (0-for-3 with a walk and a sac fly RBI) was intentionally walked and loaded the bases with one out.
Miguel Montero (1-for-1 with a RBI) singled to left. Rizzo scored and the Cubs had the insurance run they would need.
Carl Edwards Jr. started the 10th inning with an 8-6 lead and the Cubs three outs away from a World Series Championship. Edwards Jr. retired Mike Napoli and Jose Ramirez. Edwards Jr. walked Brandon Guyer with two outs. Guyer took second and scored on a single by Rajai Davis. And all of a sudden, the Cubs lead was down to 8-7.
Joe Maddon went to the mound and called in Mike Montgomery from the bullpen.
Mike Montgomery induced a grounder to third on a 0-1 pitch to Michael Martinez. Kris Bryant fielded the ball and threw to Anthony Rizzo. CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES!
It took 10 innings, a rain delay and nearly four and a half hours to complete, but the Cubs won Game 7 of The World Series. And the best team in baseball now has a trophy to prove it.
Game 7 was a complete team victory. Eight different Cubs drove in runs and Joe Maddon’s team overcame adversity to win the Championship.
The Cubs had a 6-3 lead as late as the eighth inning. Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester held the Indians to three runs through seven innings. The Indians scored three runs off a gassed Aroldis Chapman in the eighth with Rajai Davis delivering the big hit, a two-run homer that tied the game at six.
The Cubs got out of the eighth and survived the ninth to send the game to extra innings.
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Dexter Fowler (3-for-5 with a home run) all stepped up with huge performances in Game 7. Javier Baez (1-for-5 with a home run) launched a solo home run in the fifth off Corey Kluber that chased the Indians’ starter from the game. Willson Contreras (1-for-2 with a double and a RBI) doubled in Zobrist in the fourth and gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead at the time.
David Ross (1-for-1 with a home run and a walk), in the final game of his career, hit a solo home run over the center field wall in the sixth off Andrew Miller that gave the Cubs the momentum back. Ross was on the field for the final out and he was carried off by his teammates.
These Cubs did not quit all season and now they are the Champions of Baseball.
Here’s how Game 7 played out on the historical night in Cleveland …
Dexter Fowler led off the game and drove a 2-1 pitch from Kluber to straight away center. Rajai Davis drifted back to the wall and appeared to have a play on the ball. Fowler hit the ball just out of his reach and the Cubs took a 1-0 lead on the solo homer.
Kyle Schwarber restarted the inning with an infield single. Schwarber dribbled a 1-2 pitch to the right side of the mound and hustled down the line. Schwarber just beat Lindor’s throw. Kris Bryant worked a full count before flying out to Chisenhall on the track in right center. Anthony Rizzo flied out to left center (1-0) for the second out. On the first to Zobrist, Schwarber got a huge lead and stole second without a throw. Kluber did not pay any attention to him and he moved into scoring position. Ben Zobrist flied out to right center (1-1 pitch) to end the inning. Kluber made 19 pitches in the first, 11 for strikes.
Kyle Hendricks took the hill with a 1-0 lead before he threw a pitch. Carlos Santana smoked the first pitch to Heyward in right for the first out. Hendricks struck out Jason Kipnis swinging (1-2 pitch). Francisco Lindor hit a routine grounder to second base (0-1 pitch). Baez went to one knee but slipped as he went to throw to first and pulled Rizzo off the bag. Lindor reached on the error. Mike Napoli grounded out to short to end the inning. Hendricks made nine pitches, eight for strikes, in the first.
The Cubs led 1-0 after one complete.
Corey Kluber retired the Cubs in order in the second. Russell popped out to short (2-1 pitch), Contreras flied out to right (0-1 pitch) and Heyward hit a blooper to Lindor in shallow center. Kluber made 26 pitches, 16 for strikes, in two innings.
Jose Ramirez led off the second with an infield single off Hendricks that rolled toward short. Russell tried to barehand the ball but could not make a play. After a 1-1 pitch to Chisenhall, Hendricks picked off Ramirez from first base. Chisenhall hit a soft single to left on the next pitch. Rajai Davis rolled into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. Hendricks made 18 pitches, 11 for strikes, in two innings.
After two, the Cubs had a 1-0 lead.
Javier Baez flied out to left (1-1 pitch) for the first out in the third. Fowler flied out right. Kyle Schwarber smoked a 1-0 pitch through the shift into right field. Schwarber did not stop at first. Schwarber tried to stretch the single into a double. Chisenhall threw a strike to Lindor and Schwarber was out by six feet. Inning over.
Coco Crisp grabbed the momentum for the Indians. Crisp doubled down the third baseline (1-1 pitch). Roberto Perez bunted to a crashing Rizzo. Crisp advanced to third as Rizzo threw out Perez at first base. With the infield in, Carlos Santana smoked another pitch from Hendricks. Santana lined a 1-0 offering over Rizzo and Crisp scored. Game tied at one. Kipnis grounded a 2-2 pitch toward short. Russell fielded the ball cleanly and flipped toward second. Baez tried to barehand the ball to turn two. Santana was called out despite the fact it was obvious Baez never had control of the ball. The play was reviewed and the call on the field was overturned. The Indians had runners on first and second with one out.
Hendricks fell behind Lindor 3-0. Lindor flied out to left on a 3-1 pitch for the second out. Hendricks limited the damage when Napoli lined out to Bryant at third on a 1-2 pitch to end the inning.
Game 7 was tied at one after three innings.
Kris Bryant started the fourth with an excellent at-bat against Kluber. Bryant worked a full count before lashing a single through the shift and into left center. Rizzo was hit in the right shoulder on a 0-2 pitch. And the Cubs had two on with no outs. Zobrist hit a grounder to Napoli at first. His throw to second was high. Rizzo was forced and the Cubs had runners on the corners with one out.
Addison Russell put the ball in play and hit a routine fly to medium-depth left center. Bryant tagged from third and slid in under Perez’s tag, 2-1 Cubs. Zobrist moved up to second on the play.
Willson Contreras ripped a 2-2 pitch off the wall in right center. Davis broke in or he might have had a play on the ball. Zobrist scored and the Cubs took a 3-1 lead. Heyward popped out to short (3-2 pitch) to end the inning.
Hendricks pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning. Ramirez grounded out to first, Chisenhall popped out to short and Davis flied out to right to end the inning. Hendricks made 50 pitches, 35 for strikes, in four innings.
The Cubs led 3-1 after four innings.
Terry Francona left Kluber in to start the fifth. And Baez took advantage. Javier Baez drove Kluber’s first pitch to the stands in right center. The Cubs took a 4-1 lead and knocked Kluber out of the game. Andrew Miller took over and Fowler greeted him with a single to left (1-2 pitch). Schwarber grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
Kris Bryant restarted the inning with another impressive plate appearance. Bryant walked with two outs and took off on a 1-2 pitch to Rizzo. Bryant scored on a single to right from Rizzo, 5-1 Cubs. Excellent baserunning gave the Cubs a four-run lead. Rizzo went to second and was stranded when Zobrist flied out to deep left center to end the inning.
Kyle Hendricks stayed in for the fifth. Hendricks retired Crisp on a grounder to second (0-1 pitch) and caught Perez looking at a 2-2 pitch. Hendricks had retired eight in a row at that point. Hendricks did not get a call and walked Carlos Santana.
For some reason, Joe Maddon decided that was enough for Hendricks and went to the pen for both Jon Lester and David Ross. Willson Contreras also left the game. Maddon went against what he said he would do pre-game and brought Lester into the game with a runner on base.
Jason Kipnis tapped a 2-2 pitch up the third baseline. Ross picked up the ball and threw toward first. Ross’ throw was into the runner. Rizzo could not make a play and the Indians had runners on second and third with two down following a walk, an infield single and an error.
A 0-1 pitch to Lindor hit in front of the plate and into Ross’ mask. A disoriented Ross stumbled and could not find the ball right away. Santana scored … and so did Kipnis all the way from second base. The Indians grabbed the momentum and all of the sudden the Cubs lead was cut to 5-3. Lester struck out Lindor swinging (3-2 pitch) to finally end the inning.
The Cubs had a 5-3 lead after five innings.
Andrew Miller retired Russell on a pop out to Napoli for the first out in the sixth. Ross stepped to the plate with one out.
David Ross delivered a big hit when the Cubs needed one. Ross launched a 1-2 pitch from Miller over the wall in center … 6-3 Cubs.
Heyward grounded out to first and Baez struck out swinging to end the inning.
Jon Lester started the sixth by striking out Napoli swinging (2-2 pitch). Ramirez grounded out to short. Brandon Guyer batted for Chisenhall and ripped a 1-0 pitch into left for a single. Davis grounded a 3-1 pitch to Bryant to end the sixth.
The Cubs led 6-3 after six innings.
Dexter Fowler started the seventh with a single to right off Miller. Schwarber flied out to deep left (1-2 pitch) for the first out. And Francona went to his pen for Cody Allen. Kris Bryant struck out swinging on a 2-2 pitch. Fowler was running with the pitch and was thrown out at second to end the inning.
Jon Lester retired Crisp on a flyout to left to start the seventh. Lester could not put away Roberto Perez and walked him. Tyler Naquin ran at first. Carlos Santana smacked a grounder back up the middle. Lester gloved the ball. It appeared to stick in his glove slightly. Lester went to first for the out with an underhand toss to Rizzo. Naquin moved to scoring position. Lester struck out Kipnis swinging (1-2 pitch) to end the inning.
The Cubs had a 6-3 lead after seven innings.
Cody Allen stayed in for the eighth and retired the Cubs in order. Rizzo struck out swinging (0-2 pitch), Zobrist grounded out to first and Russell popped out to first base.
Maddon left Lester in to start the eighth. Lester retired Lindor on a grounder to short. Napoli was caught looking at a 2-2 pitch for the second out. Jose Ramirez singled to center (1-1). Russell dove but came up short. And Maddon made the slow walk to the mound.
Aroldis Chapman replaced Lester and could not put away Brandon Guyer. Chapman made a mistake on a 3-2 pitch. Guyer drove the ball into right center. Ramirez scored, 6-4 Cubs. Chapman jumped ahead of Davis 1-2.
Rajai Davis pulled a 2-2 pitch to left … and tied the game at six.
Coco Crisp followed with a single to left. With the go ahead run on first, Chapman struck out Yan Gomes swinging (2-2 pitch) to finally end the inning.
Game 7 of the World Series went to the ninth tied at six.
David Ross led off the ninth as rain started at Progressive Field. Ross worked a walk in his final plate appearance of his career. Chris Coghlan ran for Ross at first base. Heyward rolled a 2-2 pitch toward Kipnis. Coghlan was forced at second. The Indians could not complete the double play. The umps huddled to make sure there was not an illegal slide at second. Heyward took over at first and Francona went to his pen. Bryan Shaw replaced Allen with one out in the ninth and the go ahead run on first base.
Heyward took off for second on a 3-1 pitch to Baez. The ball skipped, hit off Heyward and went into left center. Heyward went to third with one down. Baez swung at and missed the 3-1 pitch. Baez tried to bunt the 3-2 offering from Shaw. And fouled it for strike three.
Dexter Fowler hit a 2-0 pitch back up the middle. Francisco Lindor ranged behind second and grabbed the one-hop liner and threw out Fowler at first to end the inning.
Joe Maddon made another questionable decision and left Chapman in to start the ninth. Santana flied out to left (3-2 pitch) for the first out. Jason Kipnis worked a full count. Chapman struck out Kipnis swinging. Lindor popped Chapman’s first pitch into right. Heyward caught the ball …
And Game 7 of The World Series went to the 10th tied at six.
The rain got too heavy and the game was placed in a delay before the top of the 10th started.
After a 17-minute rain delay, Kyle Schwarber led off the 10th with a single to right through the shift. Albert Almora Jr. ran for Schwarber at first base.
Kris Bryant worked a 2-2 count against Bryan Shaw. Bryant just missed a two-run homer to right center. Bryant chased Davis back to the wall. Almora Jr. tagged from first and went to second with one out. The Indians intentionally walked Rizzo.
Ben Zobrist drove a 1-2 pitch down the left field line. Almora Jr. scored and the Cubs took a 7-6 lead on Zobrist’s double. Rizzo stopped at third. Russell was intentionally walked to load the bases with one down.
Miguel Montero ripped a 1-1 pitch into left. Rizzo scored and the Cubs had a two-run lead, 8-6. With the bases loaded and one out Francona went to his pen for Trevor Bauer. Heyward struck out swinging and Baez flied out to end the inning.
Carl Edwards Jr. made his way to the mound for the bottom of the 10th with the Cubs leading 8-6.
Edwards Jr. struck out Napoli swinging (2-2 pitch) for the first out in the 10th. Ramirez grounded out to Russell for the second out. Edwards Jr. lost his command and walked Brandon Guyer with two outs. Guyer took second on the first pitch to Davis. Edwards Jr. missed his spot and Davis rapped a single to center. Guyer scored and made it a one-run game, 8-7 Cubs.
Maddon made the slow walk and replaced Edwards Jr. with Mike Montgomery. Michael Martinez grounded a 0-1 pitch toward third.
Kris Bryant fielded the ball and threw across the diamond to Anthony Rizzo … CUBS WIN!
The Chicago Cubs are the 2016 World Series Champions!