Chicago Cubs rebound in Game 2 behind Jake Arrieta's gem
The Chicago Cubs were quiet in Game 1 of the World Series as the Cleveland Indians broke out. Joe Maddon turned to his reigning Cy Young winner who nearly flirted with history.
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Yesterday turned into a nightmare for Chicago Cubs fans everywhere. Watching their team struggle against Corey Kluber on top of failing to drive in runs. However, it was only a matter of time until this offense came alive.
At the middle of it, it was designated hitter, Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber had a double in his first World Series game and delivered with RBI base knocks. Kyle was absolutely on fire in the batter’s box, driving in a couple of runs.
At one point in the game, Schwarber reached first after plating a run, turned to his dugout and shouted, “I’m Back!” — while wearing the biggest smile imaginable. A long, hard-fought recovery for a man who currently holds the franchise record for postseason home runs.
Meanwhile, on the mound, right-hander Jake Arrieta turned in his best performance in the postseason. Jake kept Indians hitters guessing, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning of play.
It was Jason Kipnis who broke up the no-no, recording his first double of the playoffs out to right field. Aside from flirting with history, Jake issued three walks but held Cleveland at bay with six strikeouts.
Cleveland cut into Chicago’s lead on a wild pitch that allowed Kipnis to race home, making it a four-run ballgame. However, it was Mike Montgomery who pitched well after Arrieta’s exit, turning in two innings.
Impressive Showing
Montgomery, one of Maddon’s top lefties in the bullpen, came in and gave up only two hits with one walk and four strikeouts. At first, it was Carl Edwards Jr. warming up in the bullpen, waiting for his skipper to make a move.
Rather than going with the young right-hander, Maddon made the move to bring in his closer, Aroldis Chapman. Chapman carried a four-run lead into the ninth inning.
Jumping back to the beginning of the game, Kris Bryant got things going with a single up the middle. Moments later, Anthony Rizzo hammered a pitch out to right field, scoring Bryant from first.
It was their first lead in the World Series. However, the Chicago Cubs were unable to add to their lead but jumped all over Bauer later on. With Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo on base, Schwarber lined a pitch to the outfield.
Rizzo, who scored on the hit, crossed home plate twice. His second time around was on Zobrist’s RBI triple, making it a 3-0 lead in favor of the visiting team. A sigh of relief for a club that had struggled to begin the series.
The Cubs ended the fifth inning by scoring two more runs — one which was credited to Schwarber’s bat and Addison Russell‘s bases-loaded walk. Javier Baez stepped to the dish with a few shots at scoring runs but struck out twice.
Tonight’s run production was enough to even things up at one apiece. Thankfully, the game came to an end before the rain arrived. Now, both clubs will make their way to the Windy City and prepare for a three-game weekend set.
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