Levine: Aroldis Chapman, Jon Lester Step Up When Needed Most For Cubs
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With their backs against the wall, the Cubs reached deeped and pulled out a must-win in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night.
Left-hander Jon Lester once again proved to be worth the record contract he signed two years ago, throwing six strong innings in a 3-2 win against the Indians at Wrigley Field. He fell behind 1-0 on a Jose Ramirez solo homer in the second inning but then composed himself, allowing four hits and two runs in those six innings and looking like the big-time postseason pitcher he's always been.
"The game was all about Jon," said catcher David Ross, who's retiring at season's end and thus played his last game at Wrigley Field. "There is not a better way to go out your last start than with Jon Lester. He won a World Series with me (in Boston). To be on the stage the last time here at Wrigley and catching him in this win was amazing."
The Cubs' offense broke out of its World Series slump in the fourth inning, when Kris Bryant led off with a homer off Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer, who to that point had held Chicago to one hit in three innings. The Cubs scored two more runs, on an RBI infield single by Addison Russell and a sacrifice fly by Ross.
In the first four games of the series, the Cubs had totaled just seven runs and hit .204. That's why they found themselves in a win-or-go-home situation.
"Nobody was talking about getting to Cleveland," Ross said of the pregame attitude. "We were all talking about tonight. The focus was just right. We concentrated on getting to Trevor Bauer. We did that really well."
After Lester's work and one out from reliever C.J. Edwards, Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman came on with one out in the seventh inning and recorded 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the longest save of his career.
Manager Joe Maddon had thought long and hard about the use of Chapman in preparations ahead of Game 5 and discussed the situation with him.
"Joe talked to me this afternoon," Chapman said. "He asked me if I was OK to come into the game in the seventh if necessary. I told him I would be ready. I said anything he needs me to do, I would be ready."
From the start of the series, Maddon and Indians manager Terry Francona have handled their pitching staffs like every night was a Game 7. Francona was asked if he was surprised when Chapman came into the game with one out in the seventh.
"I don't ever try to manage the other team," Francona said.
"It was a big ask. We've done that here as well. Nobody ever runs into the bat rack when Chapman comes into a game. I guarantee you that."
Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta will oppose Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin in Game 6 on Tuesday.
"Momentum is based on your starting pitcher, as well as what you had done," Maddon said. "Once again, it will be important to grab that lead and hold onto it."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
