The Cubs’ trip through the postseason was a roller coaster of emotions. When the North Siders were hot, they were unstoppable. But when they were off, they were stuck in suspended animation. This phenomenon grew stronger in the World Series, but nothing embodied it quite like Game 7: taking a large lead, giving it up and then winning in a intense 10th inning. Here are the ups and downs of the Cubs’ championship moment.
1st inning
Dexter Fowler leads off the game with a solo home run. This is good news because this postseason, the Cubs usually win when they score early.
Cubs 1, Indians 0
2nd inning
Cubs go 1-2-3. After a pickoff at first and a double play, the Indians also send only three to the plate.
Cubs 1, Indians 0
3rd inning
Cubs go 1-2-3.
Cubs 1, Indians 0
Cleveland ties it up with an RBI single from Carlos Santana to score Coco Crisp. A pop-out to Ben Zobrist and line-out to Kris Bryant end the inning.
Cubs 1, Indians 1
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4th inning
The Cubs tack on two more off of a sacrifice fly by Addison Russell and a double from Willson Contreras. The Cubs’ bats are hot and roughing up Indians starter Corey Kluber.
Cubs 3, Indians 1
5th inning
Another Cubs home run — from Javier Baez — and Kluber’s night is done. He dominated the Cubs in Games 1 and 4, but his luck has run out.
Cubs 4, Indians 1
The Cubs extend their lead and move closer to a championship as Bryant scores on an Anthony Rizzo single.
Cubs 5, Indians 1
Starter Kyle Hendricks makes quick work of the first two batters but walks Santana after a questionable call by the umpire. Maddon brings in Games 1 and 5 starter Jon Lester. Nerves start to fray.
Cubs 5, Indians 1
A throwing error by catcher David Ross puts runners on second and third …
Cubs 5, Indians 1
… and they score on Lester’s wild pitch.
Cubs 5, Indians 3
6th inning
Batters for both teams go quietly, except for Ross, who pads the lead, and atones for his throwing mistake, with a solo home run.
Cubs 6, Indians 3
7th inning
Not much of consequence happens for either team. Won’t this game just end, already? The Cubbies are holding a lead, but it doesn’t feel like enough.
Cubs 6, Indians 3
8th inning
Rizzo, Zobrist and Russell go down in order on three quick at-bats.
Cubs 6, Indians 3
The bottom of the eighth starts well enough, with Lester dispatching the first two batters …
Cubs 6, Indians 3
… but the Indians’ Jose Ramirez reaches first on a ground ball that bounces off Russell. Lester is pulled in favor of Aroldis Chapman, coming off of pitching four innings over the previous two games.
Cubs 6, Indians 3
The Indians tie the game with an RBI double and a stunning two-run homer by Rajai Davis. Progressive Field erupts in jubilation. Cubs fans melt.
Cubs 6, Indians 6
9th inning
Jason Heyward reaches on a ground-out/forced out, steals second and takes third on a throwing error. With one out and Baez batting, the Cubs look like they’re in business.
Cubs 6, Indians 6
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On a full count, Baez strikes out on a foul bunt.
Cubs 6, Indians 6
Indians go 1-2-3. To the 10th inning we go.
Cubs 6, Indians 6
10th inning
Before the inning even starts, the game is delayed as a heavy rainstorm leaves Toledo, Ohio, bound for Cleveland. Out comes the tarp, and Joe Buck starts killing time on the air.
Cubs 6, Indians 6
Fox misses a golden opportunity to have Bill Murray stand in the rain, saying that he’d keep playing because “the heavy stuff isn’t going to come down for quite a while”. Turns out he’s right. Play resumes after about 17 minutes.
Cubs 6, Indians 6
Kyle Schwarber leads off with a single, and Rizzo is intentionally walked …
Cubs 6, Indians 6
MVP Zobrist smacks an RBI single to left field …
Cubs 7, Indians 6
Russell is walked …
Cubs 7, Indians 6
Rizzo scores on a Miguel Montero single to left field.
Cubs 8, Indians 6
Rookie pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. replaces Chapman to start the inning
Cubs 8, Indians 6
With two outs, the Indians claw back one run on Davis’ line drive to center field.
Cubs 8, Indians 7
The Indians’ Michael Martinez hits a soft ground ball to Bryant, who easily makes the throw. Cubs win!
Cubs 8, Indians 7
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