Baseball: Cubs One Win Away From World Series Spot
Muhammad Rameez Published October 21, 2016 | 11:55 AM
LOS ANGELES, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Oct, 2016 ) - Addison Russell homered for the second consecutive game on Thursday as the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 to move within one win of their first World Series berth since 1945.
Their second successive win, on a balmy night at Dodger Stadium, gave the Cubs a three-games-to-two lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. They will try to punch their ticket to Major League Baseball's championship showcase -- and give themselves a chance to end the longest title drought in North American sports -- when they host game six on Saturday.
Game seven, if needed, would be in Chicago on Sunday. The Cubs have not won the World Series since 1908, setting a futility standard unmatched by any team in any major sport, with some among their long-suffering fans certain the team has been cursed.
Since falling into a 2-1 series hole against the Dodgers, the Cubs have bounced back with a vengeance, displaying the form that saw them win a major league-leading 103 regular-season games. Russell, who broke out of a 1-for-25 slump at the plate with a home run in Chicago's 10-2 triumph on Wednesday, connected for another two-run blast in the sixth inning on Thursday.
Javier Baez was on second with one out when Russell connected on a high slider from Dodgers reliever Joe Blanton, belting it into the seats in left-centerfield.
Anthony Rizzo, whose three hits Wednesday included a homer, put the Dodgers on the board with a run-scoring double in the first inning.
The Dodgers pulled even in the fifth inning when Howie Kendrick doubled with one out and then stole third on Cubs starter Jon Lester's 1-0 pitch to Adrian Gonzalez. Kendrick was called out, but upon review the call was overturned and he scored when Gonzalez grounded out to first base.
After Russell's blast put Chicago back on top, the Cubs exploded for five runs in the top of the eighth when Dexter Fowler and Kris Bryant singled in runs and Javier Baez's bases-loaded double off reliever Ross Stripling drove in three runs.
The Dodgers chipped away with one run in the bottom of the eighth and two more in the ninth before their rally bid fell short. Although they'll now have two chances to clinch the series at home, the Cubs will face a tough task on Saturday, when the Dodgers give the ball to left-handed pitching ace Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw baffled the Cubs in a 1-0 shutout in game two at Wrigley Field, giving up just two hits and striking out six over seven innings.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
WASA launches comprehensive campaign to test quality of water
Food Authority team conducts operation in Jackson market harbor area
KCP Captain Shahzaib Rind calls on Balochistan CM
PNCA to organize folk, classical & Sufi dance performances on Int'l Dance Day
Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan calls on Minister for Privatis ..
Germany nudges up growth forecast, ailing economy at 'turning point'
USC to hold ‘E-Kachehry' on April 25 (tomorrow)
Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir ..
Kewell's Yokohama beat Ulsan to reach Asian Champions League final
DC directs to implement fixed prices of Naan,Tandoori Roti
Revised UAF budget recommended
Hajj permits start for domestic pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
More Stories From Sports
-
Kewell's Yokohama beat Ulsan to reach Asian Champions League final
10 minutes ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
39 minutes ago -
Advisor Sports hands over Rs500,000 to prominent Martial Art Athlete Irfan Mehsud
35 minutes ago -
Muhammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan ruled out of T20I series against New Zealand
55 minutes ago -
Rizwan, Irfan out of New Zealand series
45 minutes ago -
Sana named ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier ambassador
2 hours ago
-
Stone Lifter Martin Licis showcases skills at Haripur cultural sports competition
2 hours ago -
Imad Wasim expected to take part in fourth T20I match against New Zealand
3 hours ago -
Football: English Premier League result
3 hours ago -
Cycling delegation calls on Chief Minister KP Adviser on Sports, Youth Affairs
4 hours ago -
UCP wins Judo Championship 2024
5 hours ago -
Shaheen Afridi excels in ICC T20I Rankings
3 hours ago