CLEVELAND -- One more game. For everything.
Either a 108-year World Series championship drought will come to an end, or another that's lasted 68 years.
Hysteria for one fan base, more heartbreak for the other.
Cubs vs. Indians in a winner-take-all Game 7.
As it should be.
"It's just correct and apt that we'd go seven games," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said.
Addison Russell hit a grand slam and tied a Series record with six RBI, and Chicago took advantage of a huge early misplay in Cleveland's outfield as the Cubs, their offense finally revving, throttled the Indians 9-3 on Tuesday night in Game 6 to push this tense tug-of-war between baseball's two longest title drought holders to the limit.
The biggest, most nerve-wracking day lies ahead.
"This is kind of fitting for these two franchises. This is storybook," Cubs catcher David Ross said. "They'll make movies about this one day."
Indians ace Corey Kluber, dominant while winning Games 1 and 4, starts again on short rest Wednesday night at home against big league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks.
Cleveland's hopes will rest with their best pitcher, the one guy they've been able to count on all season.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy," said Jason Kipnis, who homered and had three hits. "We knew they've got a great ballclub over there. They were lined up with their three-headed monster of a pitching staff. We're still very confident."
Kris Bryant homered to spark a three-run first inning, Russell hit the first Series slam in 11 years and Jake Arrieta worked into the sixth as the Cubs, down 3-1 back at Wrigley Field, are now rolling. One more win at Progressive Field would bring their first championship since 1908.
The Indians, trying for their first title since 1948, missed a second shot at closing out the Cubs. Cleveland is now forced to play another Game 7 after losing in 11 innings to the Florida Marlins in 1997 in its last trip to the Series.
Not wanting to take any chances despite a comfortable late lead, Maddon used atomic-armed Aroldis Chapman for one out in the seventh, the eighth and one batter in the ninth. The lefty, who got the final eight outs in Game 5, threw just 20 pitches and will be on call for the season's final game when both managers won't hesitate to use any arm they've got.
The Cubbies, shut out twice earlier in this Series, brought their clubbies to Cleveland. Bryant had four hits and Anthony Rizzo added three, including a two-run homer.
They hammered Josh Tomlin, who couldn't get out of the third inning and didn't get any help from his outfield in the first. The right-hander, who was so effective in Game 3 at Wrigley Field, pitched on short rest for the second time in his career but wasn't the problem as much as his location.
Everything seemed to be lined up for a massive downtown street party in Cleveland.
On a 71-degree November night, fans came hoping to witness the first championship win at home by a Cleveland team since the Browns took the NFL title in 1964 by shutting out the Baltimore Colts.
With Eddie Robinson -- the last living member from that '48 title team -- in attendance, and LeBron James and the NBA champion Cavaliers coming over from Quicken Loans Arena after they beat Houston, Cleveland was poised to have a night to remember like the one just 134 days ago in June when the Cavs ended the city's 52-year championship dry spell.
The Cubs blew through those plans like a wicked wind off Lake Michigan.
Arrieta wasn't dominant, but he didn't have to be. Staked to the early lead, he held the Indians without a hit until the fourth when Kipnis doubled leading off and scored on Mike Napoli's single.
Arrieta worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, and gave up a homer to Kipnis in the fifth but struck out nine.
Maddon came to get him in the sixth, the right-hander got several pats on the back from Chicago's infielders and Cubs fans saluted him with a standing ovation.
Tomlin was one strike from getting out of the first unscathed when everything fell apart.
He had Bryant down 0-2 when he hung a waist-high curveball that Chicago's third baseman, who came in just 2 for 17 in the Series but had homered in Game 5, cracked nearly halfway up the bleachers in left field, a 433-foot shot that sent a shockwave through standing-room-only Progressive Field.
There was a bigger one to come.
Rizzo and Ben Zobrist followed with singles before Tomlin got Russell to hit what appeared to be a routine out. However, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall and rookie center fielder Tyler Naquin, unable to hear each other over the roaring crowd, looked at each other and let the ball drop onto the grass for a double.
While they scrambled to recover it, Rizzo scored easily and Zobrist beat a relay throw to the plate, bowling over Indians catcher Roberto Perez as a sizeable contingent of Cubs screamed with delight.
"It was just loud at there," Naquin said. "It was kind of one of those in-betweeners. Lonnie got a good break, I got a break, it's just one of those deals. In the moment, me being the center fielder, I need to take charge on that. That's my mistake."
Although it was early, with Arrieta on the mound, Chicago's lead felt more like 30-0 than 3-0.
Russell, who dressed up like a Ninja turtle on Halloween, then put a fright into Indians fans with his shot to deep left-center.
With two on, Indians reliever Dan Otero placed a 2-0 pitch over the heart of the plate to Russell, who launched it over the wall spent much of his home-run trot howling.
The Cubs were loud all night, and with one more win they'll be champions.
"I hope it's not difficult to sleep. It's every kid's dream. It all comes down to Game 7," Russell said.
FALL CLASSICS
Bryant and Rizzo became the first 3-4 hitters to combine for seven hits in a Series game. ... Kipnis went 3 for 4 with a single, double and home run. He has two in this Series, joining Willie Stargell and Roy Campanella as the only players to accomplish that. ... Cleveland's pitchers have 59 strikeouts, tied for the fourth most in Series history. The 2001 Yankees had 70.
SEVENTH HEAVEN
The Cubs and Indians each have 0-2 records in Game 7. Chicago lost the 1945 World Series to Detroit and the 2003 NLCS to Florida, both at Wrigley. ... Along with the '97 Series loss, the Indians dropped the 2007 ALCS at Boston. . The Series has gone the distance three times in six years. San Francisco defeated Kansas City in the last seven-gamer in 2014. . Home teams are 18-19 all-time in Game 7.
ME AND THE MICK
At 22, Russell became the second-youngest player to hit a grand slam in the World Series. Yankees legend Mickey Mantle was 21 when he hit one on Oct. 4, 1953 against Brooklyn. Russell is the first Cubs to player to connect for a slam in the Series.
hicago Cubs
Either a 108-year World Series championship drought will come to an end, or another that's lasted 68 years.
Hysteria for one fan base, more heartbreak for the other.
Cubs vs. Indians in a winner-take-all Game 7.
As it should be.
"It's just correct and apt that we'd go seven games," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said.
Addison Russell hit a grand slam and tied a Series record with six RBI, and Chicago took advantage of a huge early misplay in Cleveland's outfield as the Cubs, their offense finally revving, throttled the Indians 9-3 on Tuesday night in Game 6 to push this tense tug-of-war between baseball's two longest title drought holders to the limit.
The biggest, most nerve-wracking day lies ahead.
"This is kind of fitting for these two franchises. This is storybook," Cubs catcher David Ross said. "They'll make movies about this one day."
Indians ace Corey Kluber, dominant while winning Games 1 and 4, starts again on short rest Wednesday night at home against big league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks.
Cleveland's hopes will rest with their best pitcher, the one guy they've been able to count on all season.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy," said Jason Kipnis, who homered and had three hits. "We knew they've got a great ballclub over there. They were lined up with their three-headed monster of a pitching staff. We're still very confident."
Kris Bryant homered to spark a three-run first inning, Russell hit the first Series slam in 11 years and Jake Arrieta worked into the sixth as the Cubs, down 3-1 back at Wrigley Field, are now rolling. One more win at Progressive Field would bring their first championship since 1908.
The Indians, trying for their first title since 1948, missed a second shot at closing out the Cubs. Cleveland is now forced to play another Game 7 after losing in 11 innings to the Florida Marlins in 1997 in its last trip to the Series.
Not wanting to take any chances despite a comfortable late lead, Maddon used atomic-armed Aroldis Chapman for one out in the seventh, the eighth and one batter in the ninth. The lefty, who got the final eight outs in Game 5, threw just 20 pitches and will be on call for the season's final game when both managers won't hesitate to use any arm they've got.
The Cubbies, shut out twice earlier in this Series, brought their clubbies to Cleveland. Bryant had four hits and Anthony Rizzo added three, including a two-run homer.
They hammered Josh Tomlin, who couldn't get out of the third inning and didn't get any help from his outfield in the first. The right-hander, who was so effective in Game 3 at Wrigley Field, pitched on short rest for the second time in his career but wasn't the problem as much as his location.
Everything seemed to be lined up for a massive downtown street party in Cleveland.
On a 71-degree November night, fans came hoping to witness the first championship win at home by a Cleveland team since the Browns took the NFL title in 1964 by shutting out the Baltimore Colts.
With Eddie Robinson -- the last living member from that '48 title team -- in attendance, and LeBron James and the NBA champion Cavaliers coming over from Quicken Loans Arena after they beat Houston, Cleveland was poised to have a night to remember like the one just 134 days ago in June when the Cavs ended the city's 52-year championship dry spell.
The Cubs blew through those plans like a wicked wind off Lake Michigan.
Arrieta wasn't dominant, but he didn't have to be. Staked to the early lead, he held the Indians without a hit until the fourth when Kipnis doubled leading off and scored on Mike Napoli's single.
Arrieta worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, and gave up a homer to Kipnis in the fifth but struck out nine.
Maddon came to get him in the sixth, the right-hander got several pats on the back from Chicago's infielders and Cubs fans saluted him with a standing ovation.
Tomlin was one strike from getting out of the first unscathed when everything fell apart.
He had Bryant down 0-2 when he hung a waist-high curveball that Chicago's third baseman, who came in just 2 for 17 in the Series but had homered in Game 5, cracked nearly halfway up the bleachers in left field, a 433-foot shot that sent a shockwave through standing-room-only Progressive Field.
There was a bigger one to come.
Rizzo and Ben Zobrist followed with singles before Tomlin got Russell to hit what appeared to be a routine out. However, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall and rookie center fielder Tyler Naquin, unable to hear each other over the roaring crowd, looked at each other and let the ball drop onto the grass for a double.
While they scrambled to recover it, Rizzo scored easily and Zobrist beat a relay throw to the plate, bowling over Indians catcher Roberto Perez as a sizeable contingent of Cubs screamed with delight.
"It was just loud at there," Naquin said. "It was kind of one of those in-betweeners. Lonnie got a good break, I got a break, it's just one of those deals. In the moment, me being the center fielder, I need to take charge on that. That's my mistake."
Although it was early, with Arrieta on the mound, Chicago's lead felt more like 30-0 than 3-0.
Russell, who dressed up like a Ninja turtle on Halloween, then put a fright into Indians fans with his shot to deep left-center.
With two on, Indians reliever Dan Otero placed a 2-0 pitch over the heart of the plate to Russell, who launched it over the wall spent much of his home-run trot howling.
The Cubs were loud all night, and with one more win they'll be champions.
"I hope it's not difficult to sleep. It's every kid's dream. It all comes down to Game 7," Russell said.
FALL CLASSICS
Bryant and Rizzo became the first 3-4 hitters to combine for seven hits in a Series game. ... Kipnis went 3 for 4 with a single, double and home run. He has two in this Series, joining Willie Stargell and Roy Campanella as the only players to accomplish that. ... Cleveland's pitchers have 59 strikeouts, tied for the fourth most in Series history. The 2001 Yankees had 70.
SEVENTH HEAVEN
The Cubs and Indians each have 0-2 records in Game 7. Chicago lost the 1945 World Series to Detroit and the 2003 NLCS to Florida, both at Wrigley. ... Along with the '97 Series loss, the Indians dropped the 2007 ALCS at Boston. . The Series has gone the distance three times in six years. San Francisco defeated Kansas City in the last seven-gamer in 2014. . Home teams are 18-19 all-time in Game 7.
ME AND THE MICK
At 22, Russell became the second-youngest player to hit a grand slam in the World Series. Yankees legend Mickey Mantle was 21 when he hit one on Oct. 4, 1953 against Brooklyn. Russell is the first Cubs to player to connect for a slam in the Series.
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Chicago - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Tomlin pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Fowler lined out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Schwarber grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Bryant homered to left (426 feet). | 1 | 0 |
| Rizzo singled to right center. | 1 | 0 |
| Zobrist singled to right center, Rizzo to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Russell doubled to right center, Rizzo and Zobrist scored, Russell to third on throwing error by second baseman Kipnis. | 3 | 0 |
| Contreras flied out to center. | 3 | 0 |
| 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Jake Arrieta pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Santana struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| Kipnis grounded out to second. | 3 | 0 |
| Lindor walked. | 3 | 0 |
| Napoli struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Josh Tomlin pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Heyward flied out to right. | 3 | 0 |
| Báez grounded out to second. | 3 | 0 |
| Fowler flied out to right. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Jake Arrieta pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Ramírez struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| Chisenhall struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| Crisp grounded out to third. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Josh Tomlin pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Schwarber walked. | 3 | 0 |
| Bryant flied out to right. | 3 | 0 |
| Rizzo singled to center, Schwarber to second. | 3 | 0 |
| Zobrist singled to right, Schwarber to third, Rizzo to second. | 3 | 0 |
| Otero relieved Tomlin. | 3 | 0 |
| Russell homered to center (435 feet), Schwarber, Rizzo and Zobrist scored. | 7 | 0 |
| Contreras grounded out to shortstop. | 7 | 0 |
| Heyward popped out to shortstop. | 7 | 0 |
| 4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Jake Arrieta pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Naquin struck out looking. | 7 | 0 |
| Pérez lined out to center. | 7 | 0 |
| Santana grounded out to first. | 7 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Danny Salazar pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Salazar relieved Otero. | 7 | 0 |
| Báez struck out swinging. | 7 | 0 |
| Fowler struck out swinging. | 7 | 0 |
| Schwarber flied out to left. | 7 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Jake Arrieta pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Kipnis doubled to deep center. | 7 | 0 |
| Lindor struck out swinging. | 7 | 0 |
| Napoli singled to center, Kipnis scored. | 7 | 1 |
| Ramírez lined out to right. | 7 | 1 |
| Chisenhall hit by pitch, Napoli to second. | 7 | 1 |
| Napoli to third, Chisenhall to second on passed ball by Contreras. | 7 | 1 |
| Crisp walked. | 7 | 1 |
| Naquin struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Danny Salazar pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Bryant reached on infield single to shortstop. | 7 | 1 |
| Bryant to second on wild pitch by Salazar. | 7 | 1 |
| Rizzo fouled out to third. | 7 | 1 |
| Zobrist struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| Russell struck out looking. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Jake Arrieta pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Pérez struck out looking. | 7 | 1 |
| Santana popped out to first. | 7 | 1 |
| Kipnis homered to left (385 feet). | 7 | 2 |
| Lindor grounded out to first. | 7 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Jeff Manship pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Manship relieved Salazar. | 7 | 2 |
| Contreras struck out swinging. | 7 | 2 |
| Heyward flied out to right. | 7 | 2 |
| Báez reached on infield single to shortstop. | 7 | 2 |
| McAllister relieved Manship. | 7 | 2 |
| Fowler flied out to center. | 7 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Jake Arrieta pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Napoli struck out swinging. | 7 | 2 |
| Ramírez lined out to left. | 7 | 2 |
| Chisenhall walked. | 7 | 2 |
| Montgomery relieved Arrieta. | 7 | 2 |
| Guyer hit for Crisp. | 7 | 2 |
| Guyer grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Chisenhall out at second. | 7 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Zach McAllister pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Guyer in left field. | 7 | 2 |
| Schwarber singled to left center. | 7 | 2 |
| Bryant singled to left center, Schwarber to second. | 7 | 2 |
| Rizzo flied out to right. | 7 | 2 |
| Zobrist lined out to left. | 7 | 2 |
| Russell grounded into fielder's choice to third, Schwarber out at third, Bryant to second. | 7 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Mike Montgomery pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Davis hit for Naquin. | 7 | 2 |
| Davis lined out to center. | 7 | 2 |
| Pérez walked. | 7 | 2 |
| Santana flied out to center. | 7 | 2 |
| Kipnis singled to right, Pérez to second. | 7 | 2 |
| Chapman relieved Montgomery. | 7 | 2 |
| Lindor grounds out, first baseman Rizzo to pitcher Chapman. | 7 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Mike Clevinger pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Davis in center field. | 7 | 2 |
| Clevinger relieved McAllister. | 7 | 2 |
| Contreras walked. | 7 | 2 |
| Heyward grounded into double play, third to second to first, Contreras out at second. | 7 | 2 |
| Báez struck out looking. | 7 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Aroldis Chapman pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Napoli struck out swinging. | 7 | 2 |
| Ramírez singled to center. | 7 | 2 |
| Gomes hit for Chisenhall. | 7 | 2 |
| Gomes grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Ramírez out at second. | 7 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Mike Clevinger pitching for Cleveland | CHC | CLE |
| Martínez in right field. | 7 | 2 |
| Fowler grounded out to second. | 7 | 2 |
| Schwarber flied out to center. | 7 | 2 |
| Bryant singled to left center. | 7 | 2 |
| Rizzo homered to right (391 feet), Bryant scored. | 9 | 2 |
| Zobrist walked. | 9 | 2 |
| Russell grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Zobrist out at second. | 9 | 2 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Aroldis Chapman pitching for Chicago | CHC | CLE |
| Guyer walked. | 9 | 2 |
| Strop relieved Chapman. | 9 | 2 |
| Davis flied out to left. | 9 | 2 |
| Guyer to second on wild pitch by Strop. | 9 | 2 |
| Pérez singled to right, Guyer scored advancing on play. Pérez out stretching at second. | 9 | 3 |
| Santana walked. | 9 | 3 |
| Wood relieved Strop. | 9 | 3 |
| Santana to second on fielder's indifference. | 9 | 3 |
| Kipnis fouled out to shortstop. | 9 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
hicago Cubs
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fowler CF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | .160 | .192 | .320 |
| Schwarber DH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | .333 | .467 | .417 |
| Bryant 3B | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | .273 | .385 | .545 |
| Rizzo 1B | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | .364 | .462 | .636 |
| Zobrist LF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16 | .391 | .462 | .522 |
| Russell SS | 5 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 17 | .250 | .280 | .417 |
| Contreras C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | .059 | .200 | .118 |
| Heyward RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | .200 | .200 | .200 |
| Báez 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | .160 | .160 | .160 |
| Totals | 39 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 153 | |||
| BATTING 2B: Russell (1, Tomlin) HR: Bryant (2, 1st inning off Tomlin 0 on, 2 Out); Russell (1, 3rd inning off Otero 3 on, 1 Out); Rizzo (1, 9th inning off Clevinger 1 on, 2 Out) RBI: Bryant (2), Russell 6 (8), Rizzo 2 (4) 2-out RBI: Bryant, Russell 2, Rizzo 2 GIDP: Heyward Cubs RISP: 3-10 (Zobrist 1-3, Contreras 0-1, Rizzo 0-2, Russell 2-4) Team LOB: 6 | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 1 (Russell-Báez-Rizzo). PB: Contreras. Outfield Assist: Heyward (Pérez at 2nd base). | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH |
| Attendance | 38,116 (103.4% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:29 |
| Weather | 71 degrees, clear |
| Wind | 9 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Joe West, First Base - Sam Holbrook, Second Base - Chris Guccione, Third Base - John Hirschbeck, Left Field - Marvin Hudson, Right Field - Tony Randazzo |
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