World Series Game 6: Cubs’ Bats Explode To Force Game 7 Against Indians

To reference their recent affirmation for “Rocky”, the Chicago Cubs came out swinging on Tuesdany night in an obvious must-win Game 6 of the World Series.

The Cubs were able to get to Cleveland Indians’ starter Josh Tomlin in the first inning in front of a packed crowd at Progressive Field.

With two outs and a 0-2 count, Kris Bryant hit a solo homerun off of Tomlin on a fly ball to left center field. Ben Zobrist then hit a single and later scored, along with Anthony Rizzo off a double by Addison Russell after an outifelding miscue by the Indians’ Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenahll; Cubs up 3-0.

Kyle Schwarber started off the third inning with a walk and Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist then hit consecutive singles to load the bases which would be all the Indians would see from Tomlin as then replaced him/with Danny Otero. In the third pitch of his outing, Otero gave up a Grand Slam to Addison Russell on a fly ball to center. At the age of 22, Russell is the second-youngest player to hit a Grand Slam in the World Series; the first was Mickey Mantle in the 1953 World Series.

Tomlin’s night was over after 2.1 inning of work, allowing six runs on six hits; with a walk allowed.

With Chicago up 7-0, starter Jake Arrieta continued to deal on the mound until a blemish in the bottom of the fourth when he allowed a RBI single by Mike Napoli to send home Jason Kipnis and put the Indians on the board for a 7-1 game.

In the bottom of the fifth, Kipnis put another run on the board for the Indians with a solo homerun on a line drive to left center field; Cubs now with a five run advantage in a 7-2 game.

Arrieta went 5.2 innings for the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out nine batters. Chicago needed another solid outing by the Cy Young Award Winner to keep them in the World Series hunt and in Game 6, that is what the right-hander did.

The Cubs turned to All-Star, hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning for the second consecutive game.

Chapman also pitched the eighth and was speculated to pitch the ninth as well, until the Cubs extended their lead with a two-run homer by Anthony Rizzo for a 9-2 game.

Chapman started the ninth and then after allowing a leadoff walk to Brandon Guyer, he was replaced by Pedro Strop who gave up a run off a hit by Roberto Perez to score Guyer; 9-3.

Travis Wood then got the final out for the Cubs to secure the win and force a Game 7 against the Indians.

Now two of Major League Baseball’s longest droughts will fight for  a World Series win that is decades in the making.

Up Next:

The Cleveland Indians will host Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday evening at 8:00pm. RHP Kyle Hendricks will start for the Cubs as RHP Corey Kluber makes his third World Series start this postseason for the Indians.

Top Performers:

Chicago Cubs

Anthony Rizzo: 3 for 5; 3R; HR; 2 RBIs

Kris Bryant: 4 for 5; HR; RBI; 2R

Ben Zobrist: 2 for 4; 2R; BB

Addison Russell: 2 for 5; HR; DBL; 6 RBIs

**Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are the first 3 and 4 hitters in the lineup to have seven combined hits in World Series’ history.

Cleveland Indians

Jason Kipnis: 3 for 4; HR; RBI; DBL