You couldn’t have written a better script if you tried. Game seven of the World Series was a game that had everything – home runs, comebacks, extra innings – and it ended with the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series title since 1908.
It didn’t always seem like it was going to end this way. The Cleveland Indians were dominant early on in the series, shutting down Cubs batters and jumping out to a 3-1 series lead. It didn’t seem possible for Chicago to make a comeback in the series – a team hadn’t overcome a 3-1 setback since 1985.
Defying history, the Cubs tied up the series at three to force a game seven in Cleveland. The Cubs jumped out to a lead early behind a solo home run from Dexter Fowler, already notching a run against Corey Kluber, the Indians’ reliable ace throughout the postseason. In the third inning, Cleveland tied the game off an RBI single from Carlos Santana.
The Cubs managed to score four runs over the course of the fourth and fifth innings to gain back a 5-1 lead. The Indians added on two runs of their own to make it 5-3 Cubs.
In the sixth, veteran catcher David Ross tallied another run for the Cubs on a solo blast to center. With pitcher Jon Lester was on the mound in relief for the Cubs, it seemed as if the game was all but finished.
However, the game was far from over.
Chicago manager Joe Maddon pulled Lester in the eighth after allowing a two-out hit, and brought in Aroldis Chapman. Down 6-3, the Indians rallied behind an RBI double from Brandon Guyer, and then a two-run homer from Rajai Davis with 2 outs.
The score was all tied up at 6-6 going into the ninth.
Both teams battled through the ninth but came out scoreless before rain moved in and forced the players to retreat to the clubhouse for a delay.
The rain delay proved to be a turnaround for the Cubs. In the top of the 10th, as Ben Zobrist hit an RBI double that allowed Albert Almora to score and pushed Anthony Rizzo to third base. Miguel Montero followed up with an RBI single to score Rizzo and give the Cubs an 8-6 lead going into the bottom of the 10th inning.
The Indians would not go down without a fight. Davis came up clutch for his team once again, hitting an RBI single to score Guyer and make it a one-run game, 8-7.
It wasn’t enough to extend the game, and the Cubs secured their World Series title by retiring Michael Martinez on a ground ball.
Cleveland’s baseball woes continue on, as the Indians haven’t won new rings since 1948.
But cheers extended from Cleveland to Chicago as the Cubs captured their first World Series Championship in 108 years.
