The Chicago Cubs hosted their first World Series game at Wrigley Field in over 70 years, but they couldn't make it a happy occasion as they fell 1-0 to the Cleveland Indians.
Even with the wind blowing out, the Indians started an offensive threat in the first inning without hitting the ball hard. Jason Kipnis reached on an infield single, and Francisco Lindor poked a single into left field. After Lindor was picked off first base, Kyle Hendricks struck out Mike Napoli to end the inning.
After the Cubs went down quietly in the first inning, the Indians started to show life again in the second. Jose Ramirez led off the inning with a single, but the rally ended up dying as Roberto Perez grounded into a double play to get Hendricks out of another jam.
Ben Zobrist got the Cubs going in the hit column with a single up the middle in the bottom of the frame, but they couldn't capitalize. Zobrist moved to second on a fielder's choice, but Jorge Soler struck out and Javier Baez popped out to leave the game scoreless.
The top of the fourth inning saw another great Indians scoring chance, as Lindor got on base with a single and the Indians ended up with runners on first and third with two outs. Hendricks once again showed his mettle, striking out Perez to end the frame and keep the game tied at 0-0.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Indians loaded the bases with one out and Lindor at the plate, but the Cubs' bullpen got them out of trouble. Justin Grimm relieved Hendricks, and he induced an inning-ending double play to retire the Indians and give the Cubs a shot in the arm.
Jorge Soler seemed to get the memo in the bottom of the frame as he led the bottom of the fifth off with a single, but the rest of his teammates didn't follow suit. With Andrew Miller on the hill, Miguel Montero scalded a line drive to right field, but it was caught and the game stayed tied at 0-0.
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In the seventh inning, the Indians finally broke through. Perez led off the inning with a single, and after a sacrifice bunt and a walk, Coco Crisp came on as a pinch hitter and delivered an RBI single to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead.
The Cubs' bullpen held the Indians at one run with some solid work in the eighth and ninth innings. Aroldis Chapman came in for the ninth and worked a perfect frame, getting two strikeouts and a soft groundout to keep the Cubs within striking distance.
The Cubs had a chance in the ninth inning as Rizzo led off with a single, but their offense once again couldn't come through. With two outs and runners on the corners, Javier Baez struck out swinging to give the Indians a 1-0 victory and a 2-1 series lead.
The Cubs will look to tie the series on Saturday night when they contest Game 4 against the Indians at Wrigley Field. John Lackey will take the hill for the Cubs, and Corey Kluber will take the mound on short rest for the Indians in the contest.
