Chicago Cubs even the World Series 1-1
October 27, 2016
Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta went through 5 and 1/3 innings without giving up a hit to lead the Cubs to victory in Game 2 as they beat the Cleveland Indians 6-1.
With the next three games at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the victory gives the Cubs the opportunity to clinch their first World Series in more than 100 years in front of their home fans.
"The folks will be jacked up about the win tonight," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon when asked about how the atmosphere would be back in Chicago. "It's the finest venue there is in professional sports and maybe in all of sports."
Maddon's team also got a big boost from Kyle Schwaber, who returned to the team for the World Series after missing nearly the entire season with a knee injury. The 23-year-old star drove in a run in the third inning to double the Cubs lead, and drove in another in the fifth before scoring on a bases-loaded walk. He leads all Cubs players in the first two games of the Fall Classic with three hits and two runs batted in.
"I don't think I've ever seen anything like it, to come back after those injuries and really give us a huge boost," Arrieta told reporters after the game.
Friday's Game 3 will mark the first time the Cubs have hosted a World Series game since 1945. Kyle Hendricks is expected to start for the Cubs and Josh Tomlin will be on the mound for the Indians.