Indians seize a 2-1 Series lead over the Cubs
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[October 29, 2016]
By Larry Fine
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Coco Crisp snapped
a scoreless tie in the seventh inning with a pinch-hit single that
gave the Cleveland Indians a 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in a
pivotal Game Three of the World Series on Friday.
Cleveland's bullpen made the scant lead stand up as the Indians
seized a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Fall Classic and spoiled
an opening night party for the Cubs, who hosted their first World
Series game in 71 years.
The game ended in frustrating fashion for Chicago, with runners left
on second and third in the ninth inning when Javier Baez struck out
on a high fastball from closer Cody Allen.
It was the second shutout loss of the series for the Cubs.
"To live that moment of getting the last out and feeling the
emotions of getting a win ... that's a special feeling," said Allen.
Andrew Miller, who relieved starter Josh Tomlin in the fifth, was
credited with the win as four Cleveland pitchers combined on a
five-hitter.
Chicago reliever Carl Edwards Jr, one of six pitchers used by the
Cubs, took the loss.
The Indians' victory jettisoned any chance the Cubs had of clinching
the World Series title at home, with only the next two games to be
played in Chicago.
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WINDY CITY
With the wind blowing out toward Wrigley Field's reachable,
ivy-covered outfield walls, offensive fireworks were anticipated but
it was the pitchers that held sway along with bench player Crisp,
who ruined the fun for a packed house of nearly 42,000.
"We needed something, anything, just to put a run across," said
Cleveland skipper Terry Francona. "And our (pitching) staff made it
hold up, which was a remarkable effort."
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he was surprised by the low-scoring
contest.
"Just speaks to the quality of the pitching," said Maddon. "The
bullpens did magnificent jobs.
"It's rare that you see those conditions and it's a 1-0 baseball
game."
Roars rolled through the old stadium in the opening innings but as
the game wore on a worried stillness set in.
Tomlin, spotting his pitches with pinpoint accuracy, kept the
Cubs off balance and off the bases, while Chicago starter Kyle
Hendricks escaped jam after jam.
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![](../images/102916pics/sports49.jpg)
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with right
fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (right) after game three of the 2016 World
Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Indians
defeated the Cubs 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY
Sports
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Three times in the first five innings Cleveland put a baserunner on
third but could not advance him the last 90 feet.
In the fifth, the Cubs escaped a bases-loaded, one-out threat when
Justin Grimm had Francisco Lindor ground into a double-play and the
crowd erupted with cheers.
But the bubble burst in the seventh.
Roberto Perez led off with a single, was bunted over to second base
by Tyler Naquin and Rajai Davis followed with a walk.
That set the stage for Crisp, who stepped to the plate to hit for
reliever Miller and singled to right to score pinch-runner Michael
Martinez and silence the Wrigley Field crowd with the game's only
run.
"'Cleveland against the world', that's kind of been the motto," said
Crisp. "Coming here and seeing all the blue in the stands and all
the blue that was at our ballpark, you know the support for the Cubs
is worldwide.
"Coming in here and getting the victory tonight is big for us."
Game Four of Major League Baseball's championship series is set for
Saturday with Indians ace Corey Kluber, the Game One winner,
scheduled to start against Chicago's John Lackey.
(Editing by Steve Keating / Ian Ransom)
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