Cubs Rout Indians 9-3 To Force World Series Game 7

The thrill and adrenaline were palpable Tuesday night at Progressive Field, where the Chicago Cubs rolled past the Cleveland Indians 9-3 to tie the World Series and force Game 7.

Cubs Rout Indians 9-3 To Force World Series Game 7

Kris Bryant contributed four hits and a solo home run, Jake Arrieta struck out nine over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, and the Cubs got another extended outing from closer Aroldis Chapman to set up the winner-take-all Game 7. The previous such game came in 2014, when San Francisco defeated Kansas City.

On Wednesday night, the Cubs will attempt to end their 108-year championship drought, while the Indians will be seeking their first World Series title since 1948, and will hope to join their fellow Cleveland-based team, the Cavaliers, as 2016 champions.

“I think tomorrow we’re going to come to the clubhouse with a lot of confidence and a lot of energy,” said the Cubs’ Addison Russell. “Game 7, it’s a kid’s dream.”

The 22-year-old Russell became the second-youngest player behind Mickey Mantle (21 years old, 1953) to hit a grand slam in a Fall Classic game, and tied a single-game World Series record with his RBI total, which he reached in the third inning.

Game 7 is one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events in the country. Standing-room only tickets at Progressive Field are already going for $2,000, and box seats are selling for as much as $20,000 apiece on the secondary market.

“Can I sell mine?’’ Cubs catcher David Ross said. “I’m looking for a job after tomorrow.’’

Chapman, who got the final eight outs of Chicago’s victory in Game 5, was summoned in the seventh inning and recorded the last out to end a Cleveland threat. He then turned in a scoreless eighth and returned for the ninth even after Anthony Rizzo’s two-run shot in the top of the frame gave the Cubs a seven-run lead. Manager Joe Maddon gave the left-hander a break after he walked Brandon Guyer to start the ninth, with Pedro Stop and Travis Wood getting the last three outs of the Series-tying win.

The Cubs are vying to become just the sixth team since the Fall Classic adopted the 2-3-2 format in 1925 to win a World Series after trailing 3-1. The most recent example of such a feat was pulled off by the 1985 Royals against the Cardinals.

“It’s been a very well-contested series. Both sides have played really good baseball,” Maddon said. “… It’s just correct and apt that we’d go seven games.”

This marked the 65th time the World Series reached Game 6, and the 40th time the trailing team forced a Game 7. Of the previous 39 teams to force a Game 7 by winning Game 6, 21 won the championship.

Cleveland’s outfielders contributed to Chicago’s 3-0 lead in the first. Bryant kicked off the rally with a two-out home run, and the Cubs had two on when Russell dropped a double to right-center that fell due to miscommunication between Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall. 

“Off the bat, I thought that was going to be kind of a routine play,” Russell said. “It looked like there was a little bit of miscommunication there. They didn’t put a glove on it, therefore it counts as a hit, which I was totally stoked. It pushed me for the next at-bat as well, coming up with bases loaded.”

In the third, the Cubs loaded the bases with one out against starter Josh Tomlin, who was ultimately replaced by Dan Otero. Russell greeted Otero with a homer to center, his third of the postseason.

Jason Kipnis, who grew up as a Cubs fan in suburban Chicago, attempted to rally the Tribe. He doubled in the fourth for the Indians’ first hit off Arrieta and scored on Mike Napoli’s single, and added a solo homer with two outs in the fifth.

“Jake was really good. On his regular rest, he was outstanding,” Maddon said. “We came out hitting the baseball. We looked more normal. We hit our home runs. Like I said before, I think the weather could possibly help us out. I think it actually did. I just know our hitters felt better about everything.”

Kyle Hendricks will start Game 7 for the Cubs on Wednesday, and the Indians will counter with Corey Kluber. 

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 01: Travis Wood #37 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)