Watch CBS News

Levine: Middle-Of-Order Production, Quality At-Bats Key Cubs' Win In Game 2

By Bruce Levine--

CLEVELAND (CBS) -- The fifth inning of Game 2 of the World Series may be looked back as the pivotal point in this matchup of feisty pennant winners.

Down 1-2 in the count against Indians reliever Zach McAllister, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo fought back for a 10-pitch walk. His at-bat ignited a three-run rally, as the Cubs sent nine men to the plate against McAlister and Bryan Shaw in a key inning of a 5-1 win at Progressive Field on Wednesday night that evened the World Series at 1-1.

It was the Cubs' first World Series win in 71 years.

"Our at-bats carried over from last night, even though we didn't score," Rizzo said. "Everyone always will grind out at-bats on this team. I think we had men on base pretty much every inning. We were able to keep the pressure on them. We do have a formula to grind out at-bats, make those pitchers work. The idea is to do your job and get the next guy up."

The rally extended Chicago's lead to 5-0, which was plenty for right-hander Jake Arrieta, who took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Arrieta went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits, the second of which was a Mike Napoli RBI single. Left-hander Mike Montgomery then relieved Arrieta.

"I kind of had my foot too much on the gas to start out," Arrieta said of walking two Indians in the first inning. "I just was able to get back to making quality pitches in the bottom of the strike zone."

The Cubs' patient approach paid off with eight walks, and the offense was keyed by the middle of the order. In his second game back from a serious knee injury, slugger Kyle Schwarber delivered RBI singles in the third and fifth innings. The latter hit came on an aggressive swing on a 3-0 count.

Schwarber went 2-of-4 with two RBIs and a run.

I was thinking, 'Please swing at 3-0,'" Rizzo said. "On 3-0, pitchers do not want to walk you. They are going to give in there. They are usually going to throw it right down the middle, so you can really focus on a spot. Why wouldn't he swing? It's the best count to be in."

Chicago's two-through-five hitters of Kris Bryant, Rizzo, Ben Zobrist and Schwarber went a combined 6-of-16 with five runs, four RBIs and four walks.

"Yeah, I had the green light," Schwarber said of his second hit. "I just wanted a good pitch to hit. On 3-0, it's a really big advantage for me. He has to throw a strike right there. So I thought if I put a good swing on it, good things would happen, and there we go."

The Cubs host the Indians in Game 3 on Friday night at Wrigley Field.

"It's a race to three now," Rizzo said. "We have the three games at home now. We feel really good about Friday night, Wrigley Field, Chicago's first World Series in 71 years. We are really going to like the energy."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.