Cubs End 108-Year World Series Title Drought, Beat Indians In Historic Game 7

by abournenesn

Nov 3, 2016

Keep it right here all night for live score updates, highlights and analysis of Game 7 of the World Series with our Cubs-Indians live blog.

End 10th, Cubs win 8-7: After 108 years, the Cubs finally are World Series champions!

It wasn’t without a little drama, though.

Carl Edwards Jr. got two quick outs, but a walk and an RBI single by Rajai Davis trimmed Chicago’s lead to 8-7. Mike Montgomery relieved Edwards after that single, and he got Michael Martinez to ground out to third base to end the game.

Mid 10th, 8-6 Cubs: The Cubs need three more outs for a World Series title.

Kyle Schwarber led off the inning with a single, and he was pinch ran for by Albert Almora, who advanced to second base on a long fly ball hit to the warning track by Kris Bryant. After an intentional walk to Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist hit an RBI double down the left field line. The Indians intentionally walked Addison Russell to load the bases for a potential double play, and then Miguel Montero drove in another run with a single to make it 8-6 Chicago.

The Cubs couldn’t force any more runs across the plate despite having the bases loaded, but they have a lead.

Top 10th, 6-6: The rain delay is over and play has resumed.

Top 10th, 6-6: The tarp has come onto the field with steady rain pounding Cleveland. We have a rain delay.

End 9th, 6-6: We’re headed to extra innings after Aroldis Chapman set down the Indians in order.

Mid 9th, 6-6: Jason Heyward, who reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced to third on an error after stealing second base. But Dexter Fowler grounded out to shortstop Francisco Lindor to end the inning. The Indians have a chance for a walkoff win in the ninth.

End 8th, 6-6: Wow, what an inning!

A two-out hit by Jose Ramirez got the ball rolling, and then Brandon Guyer drove him home with an RBI single. Rajai Davis, who had some defensive mishaps earlier in the game, blasted a two-run, game-tying homer to left field off of Cubs reliever Aroldis Chapman.

LeBron James’ reaction to Davis’ home run was incredible.

Mid 8th, 6-3 Cubs: Indians closer Cody Allen pitched a dominant frame, retiring the side in order. Now, the offense must provide a spark.

End 7th, 6-3 Cubs: Jon Lester’s two-out walk didn’t hurt the Cubs, as he struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Mid 7th, 6-3 Cubs: A strike ’em out, throw ’em out double play ended the inning for the Cubs, who couldn’t add to their lead.

End 6th, 6-3 Cubs: The Cubs retired the side without giving up any runs and are three innings away from a championship.

Mid 6th, 6-3 Cubs: David Ross made up for his shaky defense in the previous inning with a homer to center field.

It was Chicago’s third home run of the game. Ross made some history, too.

It’s been an unusually bad game for Indians pitchers Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller.

End 5th, 5-3 Cubs: Jon Lester relieved Kyle Hendricks after Hendricks walked Carlos Santana with two outs. Santana advanced from first to third on a wild throw by David Ross to first base. With men on second and third, Lester’s wild pitch scored both runners in a wild sequence. Francisco Lindor struck out swinging to end the inning, but the Indians have life again.

Mid 5th, 5-1 Cubs: The Cubs increased their lead with a Javier Baez homer to center field that led off the inning. The blast made up for his errors earlier in the game that led to an Indians run. Anthony Rizzo’s RBI single scored Bryant for Chicago’s fifth run.

End 4th, 3-1 Cubs: The Indians couldn’t trim the deficit as we head to the fifth inning.

Mid 4th, 3-1 Cubs: Kris Bryant led off the inning with a single and then Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch. Bryant advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and later scored on a sacrifice fly to shallow center field. It was a bold call to send Bryant to the plate, but it paid off.

Willson Contreras hit an RBI double later the inning that scored Ben Zobrist. Jason Heyward popped up to end the frame, but the damage was done.

End 3rd, 1-1: Coco Crisp led off the inning with a double, and he advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Roberto Perez. Carlos Santana drove Crisp home with an RBI single to right field.

Javier Baez made his second error of the game trying to turn a double play, giving the Indians men on first and second with one out. Kyle Hendricks nearly loaded the bases with a walk, but he got Francisco Lindor to fly out to left field on a 3-0 count. Mike Napoli lined out to third base to end the inning.

Mid 3rd, 1-0 Cubs: The Cubs got a base hit by Kyle Schwarber, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. That play ended the inning.

End 2nd, 1-0 Cubs: Jose Ramirez reached on an error, but Kyle Hendricks picked him off at first base, and then the Cubs turned a double play to end the inning two batters later. Everything is breaking right for the Cubs so far.

Mid 2nd, 1-0 Cubs: The Cubs went down in order in the top half of the second inning.

End 1st, 1-0 Cubs: The Cubs are eight innings away from a World Series title. I know it’s a bit early to count down the innings, but the whole city of Chicago is doing it.

Mid 1st, 1-0 Cubs: Dexter Fowler, who had seven leadoff home runs during the regular season, started Game 7 with a bang — a solo homer.

Fowler also made history.

The craziest part of the inning might have been Kyle Schwarber hitting an infield single and then stealing second base. He was stranded, though.

7:15 p.m.: This is pretty cool.

6:30 p.m.: The Cubs have made some adjustments at the plate to climb back into this series.

On an unrelated note, Jim Thome will throw out the first pitch.

6:20 p.m.: It’s been a long time since baseball’s champion has resided in Cleveland or Chicago’s North Side.

5:40 p.m.: It looks like Charlie Sheen, who played fictional Cleveland Indians closer Rick Vaughn in the classic movie “Major League,” will be at Game 7.

5:15 p.m.: Here are the Indians’ and Cubs’ lineups.

5:20 p.m. ET: The 2016 World Series reaches its climax Wednesday with a Game 7 between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field.

One of these teams’ lengthy championship droughts will end. Chicago hasn’t won a Fall Classic since 1908, and it’s 108-year title drought is the longest in pro sports. Cleveland hasn’t won a World Series since 1948, which is the longest drought in the American League.

The Indians will send ace pitcher Corey Kluber to the mound for Game 7. He’s 4-0 with a 0.89 ERA in the postseason, including victories in Game 1 and Game 4 of this series. The Cubs will start Kyle Hendricks, who lost Game 3 despite giving only one run.

Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images

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