Cubs force Game 6 in win over Indians

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) during the 3rd inning on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 in Game 4 of the World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune

Henry Palattella

Cleveland’s postseason party will have to wait two more days, as the Chicago Cubs beat the Indians 3-2 Sunday to force a Game 6 in the World Series at Cleveland on Tuesday.

The Cubs relied on timely hits and bullpen pitching to get the win, a script the Indians have used to perfection this postseason. 

Jon Lester started for the Chicago and gave Cubs manager Joe Maddon all he could ask for, pitching for six innings and allowing just two runs. Maddon then went to reliever Carl Edwards Jr. for a third of an inning before he decided to throw out the reliever handbook and go to his closer Aroldis Chapman with one out in the seventh. 

Maddon’s decision came up roses, as Chapman went 2.2 scoreless innings to lock down the victory.

“Chapman was unbelievable tonight,” Cubs first baseman Kris Bryant told FOX after the game. “I hope we can bring that momentum into Game 6.”

Trevor Bauer made the start for the Indians, giving up three runs in four innings, which was all the offense that Chicago needed.

The Indians drew first blood when third baseman Jose Ramirez hit a solo home run in the second inning to put the Indians up 1-0. The Cubs responded back in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run inning. Third baseman Kris Bryant hit a solo home run to tie the score, then the Cubs took the lead behind shortstop Addison Russell’s RBI single and catcher David Ross’s sacrifice fly. 

The Indians got on the scoreboard again when shortstop Francisco Lindor hit an RBI single to drive in centerfielder Rajai Davis, but they whiffed on a golden opportunity in the bottom of the eighth. Davis stood at second base with only one out, but Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis fouled out and Lindor struck out to end the inning.

Josh Tomlin (2-0, 1.76 postseason ERA) will toe the rubber for the Indians in Game 6, while Jake Arrieta (1-1, 3.78) will go for the Cubs in the hopes of forcing a tiebreaker Game 7. First pitch is at 8 p.m.