Posted: Thursday, November 3, 2016. 4:51 a.m. CST.
By BBN Staff: Tonight Belizeans at home and abroad, particularly in Chicago, are celebrating as the Cubs clinch their first World Series championship since 1908 by defeating the Cleveland Indians in a nail-biting game for Cubs fans.
The Cubs won back to back World Series championship in 1907 and 1908 but the last time they reached the World Series was in 1945. As Belizean Cub fans know very well, this has been one of the longest drought for a baseball team in the United States. Famous WGN announcer and a lifelong Cubs fan, Harry Caray, died and never had the glory to witness a Cub’s World Series championship.
Belizeans kept their faith and rallied with the Cubbies as they came back after having lost 3 games in the World Series to tie the series 3 games apiece on Tuesday night.
The Cubs began game 7 with a solo home run by Dexter Fowler on the Indian pitcher’s fourth pitch. The Indians tied the game 1:1 at the bottom of the 3rd inning but the Cubs came back to score 2 runs in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th inning to take a commanding 5:1 lead.
However, in the bottom of the 5th inning, starting pitcher Kyle Hendrick was replaced with relief pitcher John Lester. An error committed by the catcher, David Ross, followed by a wild pitch from the relief pitcher, allowed the Indians to close the gap ending the 5th with Cubs still leading 5:3.
Catcher Ross relieved his earlier error by delivering Cubs 3rd home run for the night, pushing the lead to 6:3.
This score held until the bottom of the 8th when Aroildis Chapman, Cubs star saving pitcher, was brought in with only 1 out left to close the inning. Chapman, who was controversially brought out to pitch on Tuesday night in a Cubs blowout game rather than be saved for Game 7, showed that he was human and gave up a double which sent home the Indians 4thrun. This was quickly followed by a 2 run homer by Indian’s outfielder, Rajai Davis, tying the game at 6 apiece.
This tie score held up to the end of the 9th inning and the game headed into extra innings. As the 10th inning was about to begin, the rains came to delay the game and tarp was pulled over Wrigley field. Belizean Cub fans continued to bite their nails for the 17 minute delay but the wait was worth it.
At the top of the 10th inning and with 1 out, the Indians pitcher intentionally walked Anthony Rizzo to face Ben Zobrist. Zobrist hit a double, sending home a runner and giving Cubs a 1 run lead. A few pitches later, and after another intentional walk, Miguel Montero drove home another run for the Cubs giving them the 8-6 lead as the game headed to the bottom of the 10th.
The 8 to 6 lead held up until only 1 more out was left for the game to end. However, the Indians scored their 7th run as the new pitcher, gave up a walk and a single showing signs of that he was beginning to struggle. A new pitcher was brought in to get the last out and he did the job – the Cubs are now the 2016 World Champions with a final score of 8 to 7.
Breaking Belize News congratulates the Cubs on their historic win and joins Belizeans in celebrating this well-deserved championship.
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