Indians shut out Cubs again, take 2-1 World Series lead on Coco Crisp RBI
CHICAGO -- Breaking down Game 3 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Indians 1, Cubs 0: Indians lead series, 2-1.
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The game: Last time they played a World Series game at Wrigley Field, starting pitchers weren't often getting pulled in the fifth inning of scoreless outings. But it's 2016, and the first Fall Classic contest at the historic venue since 1945 featured lights on the stadium, a giant video scoreboard behind the left field bleachers, and bullpen specialists galore.
Kyle Hendricks opened for the Cubs and allowed six hits and two walks, then left with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth. Reliever Justin Grimm got Francisco Lindor to hit into a double play, maintaining the scoreless tie. Josh Tomlin started the game for the Indians and allowed only two hits and a walk before leaving the game for Andrew Miller with two outs in the fifth.
With Carl Edwards Jr. pitching in the seventh and the game still tied at 0-0, Indians catcher Roberto Perez singled to lead off the inning. Michael Martinez pinch ran for Perez, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, then to third on a wild pitch. Rajai Davis walked to put runners on first and third for pinch-hitter Coco Crisp. Crisp delivered with a single in the game's first run.
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Pivot point: The Cubs got perhaps their best scoring opportunity of the night in the bottom of the seventh, when a Lonnie Chisenhall misplay in right field allowed Jorge Soler to triple with two outs against Bryan Shaw with NLCS hero Javier Baez on deck. But Baez grounded out to end the inning.
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Indians silence Cubs, seize command of World Series
Manager's special: The walk to Davis in the seventh forced Terry Francona to pull Miller -- his most dominant reliever -- for a pinch hitter after "only" 1 1/3 perfect innings. But Francona has stressed all postseason that the strength of the Indians' bullpen arms around Miller is what allows him to use Miller aggressively in the middle innings. Bryan Shaw followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
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Man of the moment: Though Perez was out of the game by the time the first and only run scored, it was his single to lead off the seventh that started the decisive rally. Perez, a glove-first catcher who hit .183 in the regular season, was also one of the offensive heroes of the Indians' Game 1 win when he hit two homers in the lopsided victory.
Needing a mulligan: Hendricks pitched well to escape jams in the first, second, and fourth and hardly allowed many hard-hit balls, but his escalating pitch count and series of high-stress innings forced Joe Maddon to go to the soft part of his bullpen in the middle innings.
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What you missed on TV: A cadre of Chicago celebrities cheering on the Cubs in their first home World Series game in 71 years. In addition to Bill Murray, who sang during the seventh-inning stretch, John Cusack, Jenny McCarthy, Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, Donovan McNabb, Dwyane Wade and Jay Cutler, among plenty others, were in attendance.
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State of the series: The Indians' win ensured the Cubs will not be able to clinch a championship in Chicago, meaning either the series will go back to Cleveland or Cubs fans will have their hearts broken at Wrigley in Game 5 on Sunday. Before that happens, Corey Kluber will start Game 4 on short rest for the Indians on Saturday against John Lackey for the Cubs.
Gallery: Cubs, Indians clash in World Series
