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Cubs News

Run for the Ring: World Series Game 4

6 years agoTony Andracki

Don’t worry, this is the last loss, even if it was a particularly crushing defeat.

The Cubs actually jumped out to an early lead in Game 4 of the World Series as Dexter Fowler doubled to begin the bottom of the 1st and Anthony Rizzo drove him home two batters later.

But the Indians responded with 2 runs in the top of the 2nd inning and went on to score 7 unanswered tallies. The Cubs didn’t score again until the bottom of the 8th when Fowler homered off Cleveland relief ace Andrew Miller.

Game 4 Photo 4 Miller

Corey Kluber was once again dominant for the Indians, tossing 6 innings of 1-run ball, improving his postseason record to 4-1 with a 0.89 October ERA. Miller threw 2 innings in relief to shut the door on any possible Cubs comeback.

For the North Siders, John Lackey took the ball in his final appearance of the season, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) in 5 innings. A trio of relievers – Mike Montgomery, Justin Grimm, Travis Wood – combined to give up 4 runs after Lackey departed the game.

Offensively, the Cubs managed 7 hits and a walk, but only twice did they put multiple baserunners on in an inning.

Jason Kipnis, the Chicago-area native who is now on the Cubs roster, had 3 hits and 3 RBI in the game, including a 3-run shot in the 7th inning to really put the game out of reach.

The loss simply set the stage for the epic comeback, making the rally from a 3-1 deficit in the series all the more sweet.

Here’s how the two teams lined up that night for the Game 4 of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field:

Indians

Rajai Davis – LF
Jason Kipnis – 2B
Francisco Lindor – SS
Carlos Santana – 1B
José Ramírez – 3B
Lonnie Chisenhall – RF
Roberto Pérez – C
Tyler Naquin – CF
Corey Kluber – P 

Game 4 Photo 3

Cubs

Dexter Fowler – CF
Kris Bryant – 3B
Anthony Rizzo – 1B
Ben Zobrist – LF
Willson Contreras – C
Addison Russell – SS
Jason Heyward – RF
Javy Báez – 2B
John Lackey – P

Fun Facts:

  • It was the second time in the postseason where Kluber pitched on short rest.
  • The last team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the World Series was the 1985 Royals who accomplished the feat against the Cardinals.