World Series Game 2 recap: Cubs beat Indians 5-1

Cubs strike back, beat Indians 5-1 to knot World Series 1-1

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44), third baseman Kris Bryant (17), shortstop Addison Russell (27), and second baseman Javier Baez (9) celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Cubs win 5-0 to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Cubs evened the series out with a 5-1 win against the Cleveland Indians in Game 2 of the 2016 World Series.

The Chicago Cubs answered the call and won Game 2 of the 2016 World Series, beating the Indians 5-1 and evening up the series one game apiece.

The Cubs’ bats came out early in Game 2, getting on the board with a double by Anthony Rizzo that drove in Kris Bryant. Then in the 3^rd inning, Kyle Schwarber singled on a grounder to center, which brought in Rizzo. The top of the 5^th was when the Cubs put the game away, as Ben Zobrist tripled into right field and scored Rizzo. Schwarber singled and drove in Zobrist, and then with the bases loaded, Addison Russell drew a walk to plate Schwarber, bringing the score to 5-0 Cubs.

The Indians managed to avoid a shutout when Mike Napoli got a wild pitch from Jake Arrieta in the bottom of the 6^th, scoring Jason Kipnis. But that was all the offense Cleveland could muster on the night

Jake Arrieta got the start for the Cubs and looked a lot better on the mound than Game 1 starter Jon Lester. Arrieta went 5.2 innings, allowing only 2 hits and one run with six punch outs, leaving the game with a 1.59 ERA. The Cubs only called upon a total of three pitchers on Wednesday, a stark contrast from Game1.

Trevor Bauer was much better than he was in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series when he had to leave after 21 pitches in the 1^st inning due to complications from a drone accident that left his finger dripping blood. However, Bauer was no match for the Cubs’ bats in Game 2 of the World Series, allowing six hits and two runs in only 3.2 innings of work. He left the game with an ERA of 4.91 with only two strikeouts. The Indians had to dip into their bullpen quite a bit tonight, with seven pitchers moving in and out of the rotation, much like the Cubs last night.

Game 3 of the World Series is scheduled for Friday, October 28 at 8 p.m. ET in Chicago. RHP Josh Tomlin (13-9) is expected to get the start for the Indians, while RHP Kyle Hendricks (16-8) will start for the Cubs.

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