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Photos: Cubs Alive After Tense Game 5, Edge Cleveland 3-2

By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 31, 2016 5:00AM


The Cubs desperately needed a win to stave off elimination, and in a potentially classic nailbiter, they delivered. It was their first World Series game win at Wrigley Field since 1945.

Controversial closer Aroldis Chapman—who has sometimes struggled in long relief situations—delivered 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the save, as the Cubs took an incredibly tense Game Five, 3-2, to chip away at the Indians' series lead, which now stands at three games to two. Chapman walked into a jam in the seventh inning after a leadoff Cleveland single, and though the closing frames weren't without scares, the Cubs worked around the late trouble.

Ace Jon Lester gave the Cubs the strong outing they needed to stay alive, striking out five and surrendering four hits and two runs in six innings of work.

Cubs batters—so undisciplined at the plate in Game Four—posted seven hits. Chicago clawed back from a 1-0 deficit in an electric fourth inning, in which Kris Bryant homered to tie, and Addison Russell and fan favorite David Ross added RBIs.

The Cubs head to Cleveland for Game Six on Tuesday, when Jake Arrieta will duel Josh Tomlin, a game in which Chicago is ever-so-slightly favored. If they deliver the same strong pitching and patient, timely hitting, we could be looking at a potentially unforgettable seven-game series.

Added bonus: Eddie Vedder performed "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the seventh-inning stretch, tossing in a nice tribute to Ross:

baseballcubsworld series

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