By ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO (AP) Playing on the road for the second straight night against one of their biggest rivals, Devan Dubnyk and the Minnesota Wild rallied to another impressive victory.
Not much to complain about for Wild coach Bruce Boudreau.
”They just refuse to lose at this stage,” he said.
Dubnyk made 33 saves, Jason Pominville scored in the third period and Minnesota beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Sunday to grab sole possession of the top spot in the Western Conference.
Nino Niederreiter and Chris Stewart also scored as Minnesota earned its fourth straight win and improved to 17-1-1 since Dec. 4. The Wild also beat the Blackhawks for the eighth straight time.
”To beat this team eight times in a row is really something,” said Boudreau, who was behind the bench in Anaheim when the Ducks were eliminated by the Blackhawks in the 2015 Western Conference finals. ”I don’t understand how you can do it. I wish I had had that knowledge a couple years ago.”
Minnesota (28-9-5) jumped in front for good when Marco Scandella shot the puck behind the net and it caromed right to Pominville standing all alone on the right side of the crease. He knocked it into the open net for his sixth of the season at 5:08.
Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter was sent off for tripping with 22.4 seconds left, but Chicago was unable to get a good look even with the 6-on-4 advantage.
”It’s a big game, just point-wise,” Dubnyk said. ”If we want to be in first place, we’re going to have to win games against these guys.”
Patrick Kane scored twice on a whopping 12 shots for the Blackhawks (27-14-5), who were coming off an ugly 6-0 loss at Washington. Artem Anisimov, battling an illness, had two assists, and Corey Crawford made 29 stops.
”Frustrating. Even though it was 2-0, at 2-2 you still feel good being in a tie game going to the third at home playing a team playing on back-to-back nights,” Kane said. ”Tough not to get anything out of that game.”
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville called Friday night’s performance against the Capitals a failure ”across the board,” and he went with seven defensemen for the Blackhawks’ first game of the season against Minnesota. He also leaned heavily on Kane, who has six goals and 12 assists in his last 14 games.
”Kaner had the touch tonight,” Quenneville said.
The reigning NHL MVP beat Dubnyk on the stick side at 4:33 of the first, and then added his 14th of the season in the second. The winger dug the puck out of the faceoff circle and snapped it over Dubnyk’s left shoulder for a 2-0 lead at 4:16.
Minnesota got one back after Anisimov was sent off for tripping at 5:04 of the second. Jonas Brodin’s long shot went off Wild center Mikael Granlund in front and dropped to the ice near Niederreiter, who slammed it in for his 12th.
Stewart tied it at 2 when he beat Crawford on the short side from the left circle with 9 minutes left. Stewart also scored in Minnesota’s 5-4 victory at Dallas on Saturday night.
”We didn’t have the best legs right from the get-go, but I feel like we found a way,” Niederreiter said. ”Then we kind of find a rhythm and kept going.”
NOTES: Kane played more than 27 minutes in his first multigoal game of the season. … The Blackhawks scratched forwards Andrew Desjardins and Jordin Tootoo. … D Nate Prosser and RW Kurtis Gabriel were inactive for Minnesota.
UP NEXT
Wild: Begin a four-game homestand Tuesday night against New Jersey.
Blackhawks: Visit Colorado on Tuesday night.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Capitals rout Blackhawks 6-0 to extend winning streak to 8
WASHINGTON (AP) Jay Beagle can’t explain his offensive success against the Chicago Blackhawks.
It’s much easier to see why his Washington Capitals are rolling against everybody.
Beagle scored twice to solidify his status as a Blackhawks killer and Washington blew out Chicago 6-0 on Friday night to win its eighth consecutive game. In a showdown of the NHL’s hottest teams, the Capitals looked the part and the Blackhawks fell flat, ending their winning streak at four.
During their eight-game run to vault to the top of the league standings, the Capitals have snapped five opposing winning streaks of three or more.
”We’re playing good hockey right now and we’re starting to get confident in our game, in our structure,” said Beagle, who has eight goals this season and is just two shy of tying his career high. ”Getting these wins against great teams can only build that confidence, and we just got to keep going moving forward.”
Beagle’s inexplicable, self-admitted ”weird” showing of six goals in eight career games against the Blackhawks notwithstanding, this winning streak has been built on contributions from almost every player. Three different lines were in on the scoring Friday as all six goals came at even strength.
But the biggest piece of the streak is goaltender Braden Holtby, who looks to be back in Vezina Trophy form. Holtby stopped all 24 shots he faced against the Blackhawks and is 9-2-2 with a 1.34 goals-against average, .950 save percentage and five shutouts in his past 14 games.
Holtby and the Capitals haven’t allowed an even-strength goal in five games dating to when he was pulled against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 3.
”I worked on a few things that I wanted to get better at, but we’ve been playing pretty well through that stretch, too,” said Holtby, who leads the league with six shutouts. ”There’s still things to work on, but our game and my game are going in the right direction.”
Chicago’s game was going in the right direction but took a nosedive Friday. A would-be goal from Vinnie Hinostroza was called back for goaltender interference and Corey Crawford was pulled after allowing five goals on 30 shots. There were no positives to be found.
Coach Joel Quenneville called it a failure ”across the board.”
”It was a big game to start with and we didn’t meet the challenge,” Quenneville said. ”Let’s forget about this one because there’s nothing good about it.”
It’s all good right now for the Capitals, who had four short-handed shots to the Blackhawks’ two on the power play. In reaching 61 points, they passed the Columbus Blue Jackets – who played later at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night – for first in the Metropolitan Division, the Eastern Conference and the NHL.
Coach Barry Trotz has eased the minutes burden on Alex Ovechkin and his top players and been rewarded with scoring depth. He was pleased that ”all four lines were pulling on the rope” against Chicago, just the latest in a line of top teams Washington has beaten.
Just in 2017, the Capitals have ended the Maple Leafs’ winning streak at five, the Blue Jackets’ at 16, the Montreal Canadiens’ at three, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ at five and then the Blackhawks’ at four. Now they have their own winning streak, which center Nicklas Backstrom said ”doesn’t matter.”
”Obviously you know it’s eight in a row, but you’re playing every other day so you just try to reset and get back to work,” Backstrom said. ”We’ve just got to play good next game.”
NOTES: D Karl Alzner became the first player in Capitals franchise history to play 500 consecutive regular-season games. Alzner joined Keith Yandle and Jay Bouwmeester as the only defensemen since 1943-44 to play 500 games in a row. Baseball ironman Cal Ripken Jr. was featured in a video message congratulating Alzner on the achievement. … Washington improved to 23-3-3 when scoring first. … D Michal Rozsival returned to the Blackhawks’ lineup after missing six consecutive games as a healthy scratch, replacing Michal Kempny.
UP NEXT
Blackhawks: Host the Central Division-rival Wild on Sunday, their first game against Minnesota this season. The Wild trail the Blackhawks by just two points and have played five fewer games.
Capitals: Try to make it nine straight when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday at 1 p.m., moved back from 12:30 as a domino effect from the Steelers-Chiefs AFC playoff game shifting to prime time because of weather in Kansas City.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Knicks beat Bulls with big games from Anthony, Rose, Noah
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- To Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, it didn't matter much that they were playing their former team.
At this point, the New York Knicks just needed to beat somebody.
Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Rose and Noah had big games against Chicago, and the Knicks beat the short-handed Bulls 104-89 on Thursday night.
"Tonight's game was because it was the next game," Rose said. "We were desperate to win and I'm just happy that we got the win."
Rose scored 17 points in his return to Madison Square Garden after skipping the last game here, and Noah finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds as the Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak. Rookie forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas had a season-high 19 points.
The Knicks bounced back from a loss at the buzzer in Philadelphia on Wednesday to win for the first time this season on the second night of back-to-back games.
Dwyane Wade scored 22 for the Bulls, who were missing star swingman Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Denzel Valentine, all because of illness. They dropped their third straight.
Playing without starting forward Kristaps Porzingis, New York won for just the second time in 11 games, a much-needed victory after the mystery surrounding Rose - and then its second buzzer-beating loss of the month.
"I haven't been in situations like this too many times in my career, but I've definitely been in situations where there's been adversity and I think that today a lot of guys showed what they were made of," Noah said.
Rose went home to Chicago on Monday without telling the team, returned to practice the next day and said his absence was for family reasons. The Knicks fined him but put him back in the starting lineup and he has played well in both games since.
Rose was cheered during pregame introductions and then helped the Knicks race to an 8-0 lead. They pulled away by limiting Chicago to 14 points in the third quarter.
Butler and Mirotic both missed their second straight game. Valentine felt sick at the arena and was sent back to the hotel.
"We've got three guys out. We don't have the luxury of missing key guys," Wade said. "So hopefully Saturday, hopefully we don't have any more down. Hopefully Saturday we get at least one or two back."
The Bulls ended up giving little-used, little-known rookie Paul Zipser his first career start at forward. He had a season-high seven points in just his 11th appearance of the season.
TIP-INS
Bulls: Jerian Grant, traded to Chicago in the deal that brought Rose to New York, scored 14 points off the bench. ... Chicago was 3 for 18 (16.7 percent) on 3-pointers.
Knicks: The Knicks are 1-7 on the second night of back-to-backs. ... Porzingis missed three games recently with the Achilles problem, and coach Jeff Hornacek said the injury could have contributed to Porzingis being short on his jumpers Wednesday, including the airball that led to the 76ers' winning shot. Hornacek said Porzingis had soreness and stiffness Thursday but there was no tear or sign of serious injury.
ROSE'S RESPONSE
Rose said he didn't think much about how the crowd would greet him, saying he's been booed in Chicago, too.
"I'm used to it and if they did boo me tonight it's no hard feelings," Rose said. "I know this is sports and I know they're very passionate about their sports and like I said, I said sorry to my team, I apologized and that was something that will never happen again."
ZIPSER'S CHANCE
Zipser had played in just one of the Bulls' five games this month, 10 all season and his high game was three points. But coach Fred Hoiberg said when he told the forward from Germany's Bayern Munich that he would be starting, "He looked me right in the eye and said, 'I'll be ready, Coach.'"
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Chicago swept the series in 2015-16 for the seventh time in 10 seasons.
Knicks: Visit Toronto on Sunday, trying to snap a four-game losing streak to the Raptors.
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- To Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, it didn't matter much that they were playing their former team.
At this point, the New York Knicks just needed to beat somebody.
Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Rose and Noah had big games against Chicago, and the Knicks beat the short-handed Bulls 104-89 on Thursday night.
"Tonight's game was because it was the next game," Rose said. "We were desperate to win and I'm just happy that we got the win."
Rose scored 17 points in his return to Madison Square Garden after skipping the last game here, and Noah finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds as the Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak. Rookie forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas had a season-high 19 points.
The Knicks bounced back from a loss at the buzzer in Philadelphia on Wednesday to win for the first time this season on the second night of back-to-back games.
Dwyane Wade scored 22 for the Bulls, who were missing star swingman Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Denzel Valentine, all because of illness. They dropped their third straight.
Playing without starting forward Kristaps Porzingis, New York won for just the second time in 11 games, a much-needed victory after the mystery surrounding Rose - and then its second buzzer-beating loss of the month.
"I haven't been in situations like this too many times in my career, but I've definitely been in situations where there's been adversity and I think that today a lot of guys showed what they were made of," Noah said.
Rose went home to Chicago on Monday without telling the team, returned to practice the next day and said his absence was for family reasons. The Knicks fined him but put him back in the starting lineup and he has played well in both games since.
Rose was cheered during pregame introductions and then helped the Knicks race to an 8-0 lead. They pulled away by limiting Chicago to 14 points in the third quarter.
Butler and Mirotic both missed their second straight game. Valentine felt sick at the arena and was sent back to the hotel.
"We've got three guys out. We don't have the luxury of missing key guys," Wade said. "So hopefully Saturday, hopefully we don't have any more down. Hopefully Saturday we get at least one or two back."
The Bulls ended up giving little-used, little-known rookie Paul Zipser his first career start at forward. He had a season-high seven points in just his 11th appearance of the season.
TIP-INS
Bulls: Jerian Grant, traded to Chicago in the deal that brought Rose to New York, scored 14 points off the bench. ... Chicago was 3 for 18 (16.7 percent) on 3-pointers.
Knicks: The Knicks are 1-7 on the second night of back-to-backs. ... Porzingis missed three games recently with the Achilles problem, and coach Jeff Hornacek said the injury could have contributed to Porzingis being short on his jumpers Wednesday, including the airball that led to the 76ers' winning shot. Hornacek said Porzingis had soreness and stiffness Thursday but there was no tear or sign of serious injury.
ROSE'S RESPONSE
Rose said he didn't think much about how the crowd would greet him, saying he's been booed in Chicago, too.
"I'm used to it and if they did boo me tonight it's no hard feelings," Rose said. "I know this is sports and I know they're very passionate about their sports and like I said, I said sorry to my team, I apologized and that was something that will never happen again."
ZIPSER'S CHANCE
Zipser had played in just one of the Bulls' five games this month, 10 all season and his high game was three points. But coach Fred Hoiberg said when he told the forward from Germany's Bayern Munich that he would be starting, "He looked me right in the eye and said, 'I'll be ready, Coach.'"
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Chicago swept the series in 2015-16 for the seventh time in 10 seasons.
Knicks: Visit Toronto on Sunday, trying to snap a four-game losing streak to the Raptors.
CFB Ambulance involved in crash with SUV in Park Ridge
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- A Chicago Fire Department ambulance was involved in a crash with an SUV Friday morning in northwest suburban Park Ridge.
The ambulance was northbound on Cumberland about 8:30 a.m. when it collided with the SUV, which was eastbound on Belle Plaine, according to Park Ridge Police Deputy Chief Louis Jogmen.
The ambulance was transporting a patient at the time, and had its emergency lights and siren activated, Jogmen said. It slowed down before proceeding into the intersection, which is a four-way stop.
The SUV also slowed but did not stop before proceeding into the intersection, Jogmen said. The ambulance hit the SUV's front end on the passenger side, and sent it into the parkway on the northeast side of the intersection.
There were no injuries as a result of the crash, Jogmen said. A Park Ridge ambulance responded to the scene to finish transporting the CFD ambulance's patient to a hospital.
The driver of the SUV was cited for failure to yield at an intersection, failure to yield for emergency equipment, and an equipment violation.
via ABC 7 Chicago/Sun Times.
The ambulance was northbound on Cumberland about 8:30 a.m. when it collided with the SUV, which was eastbound on Belle Plaine, according to Park Ridge Police Deputy Chief Louis Jogmen.
The ambulance was transporting a patient at the time, and had its emergency lights and siren activated, Jogmen said. It slowed down before proceeding into the intersection, which is a four-way stop.
The SUV also slowed but did not stop before proceeding into the intersection, Jogmen said. The ambulance hit the SUV's front end on the passenger side, and sent it into the parkway on the northeast side of the intersection.
There were no injuries as a result of the crash, Jogmen said. A Park Ridge ambulance responded to the scene to finish transporting the CFD ambulance's patient to a hospital.
The driver of the SUV was cited for failure to yield at an intersection, failure to yield for emergency equipment, and an equipment violation.
via ABC 7 Chicago/Sun Times.
Bicylist fatally struck by car in Humboldt Park
CHICAGO -- A bicyclist was struck and killed by a car Wednesday night in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood on the West Side, police said.
At 10:38 p.m., a Chevrolet Cruze was driving north on Sacramento when the car struck a man riding a bicycle west on Division, according to Chicago police.
The 34-year-old man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he later died. His name has not yet been released.
The driver of the Cruze, a 36-year-old man, stayed at the scene of the crash, police said. As of late Wednesday, no citations or charges had been issued. No other injuries were reported.
The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.
via ABC 7 Chicago.
At 10:38 p.m., a Chevrolet Cruze was driving north on Sacramento when the car struck a man riding a bicycle west on Division, according to Chicago police.
The 34-year-old man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he later died. His name has not yet been released.
The driver of the Cruze, a 36-year-old man, stayed at the scene of the crash, police said. As of late Wednesday, no citations or charges had been issued. No other injuries were reported.
The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.
via ABC 7 Chicago.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Chicago Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 6 am CST Sunday
Today, Chicago will experience some sleet or freezing rain possible early. There will be cloudy skies with afternoon snow showers with a high of 23F. Winds will be NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow will be 80%. Snow accumulations should be less than one inch.
Tonight, it will be windy. Snow this evening will transition to snow showers overnight. Record low temperatures are expected with a low of 7F. Winds will be NW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow is 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow are expected.
Winter Weather Advisory, Wind Chill Advisory
Statement as of 3:06 am CST on December 17, 2016
... Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 6 am CST
Sunday...
... Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect from 6 am Sunday to
10 am CST Monday...
* timing... there is slight chance of freezing drizzle early this
morning. Snow will develop early this evening and end overnight
tonight. Blowing and drifting snow is expected tonight. Wind
chills of 20 to possibly briefly lower than 30 below are
expected late tonight through Monday morning.
* Accumulations... snow of 1 to 4 inches is likely tonight... with
the highest amounts north of I-88 and I-290.
* Other impacts... northwest winds gusting over 30 mph tonight will
cause blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibilities making
travel very hazardous in open areas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means that
visibilities will be limited due to a combination of falling and
blowing snow. Use caution when traveling in open areas. Be
prepared for snow covered roads.
A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds
will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in
frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.
Tonight, it will be windy. Snow this evening will transition to snow showers overnight. Record low temperatures are expected with a low of 7F. Winds will be NW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow is 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow are expected.
Winter Weather Advisory, Wind Chill Advisory
Statement as of 3:06 am CST on December 17, 2016
... Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 6 am CST
Sunday...
... Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect from 6 am Sunday to
10 am CST Monday...
* timing... there is slight chance of freezing drizzle early this
morning. Snow will develop early this evening and end overnight
tonight. Blowing and drifting snow is expected tonight. Wind
chills of 20 to possibly briefly lower than 30 below are
expected late tonight through Monday morning.
* Accumulations... snow of 1 to 4 inches is likely tonight... with
the highest amounts north of I-88 and I-290.
* Other impacts... northwest winds gusting over 30 mph tonight will
cause blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibilities making
travel very hazardous in open areas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means that
visibilities will be limited due to a combination of falling and
blowing snow. Use caution when traveling in open areas. Be
prepared for snow covered roads.
A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds
will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in
frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Cubs win World series; Post-Game Notes
CUBS WIN FIRST WORLD SERIES SINCE 1908
• The Chicago Cubs claimed their third World Series title in franchise history, joining 1907, when they defeated the Detroit Tigers (4-0-1), and 1908, when they defeated the Tigers (4-1).
• The 107-season drought without a World Series title had been the longest drought without a championship in the four major sports.
BEN ZOBRIST NAMED WORLD SERIES MVP
• Cubs outfielder Ben Zobrist was named the winner of the World Series Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet.
• Zobrist, who was part of Kansas City's 2015 World Series-winning team, becomes the first Cubs player to win the MVP Award, which originated in 1955.
• He is just the seventh outfielder (eighth time overall) to be named MVP, joining Hall of Famer Frank Robinson of the Orioles (1966); Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente of the Pirates (1971); Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson of the Athletics (1973) and for the Yankees (1977); Pedro Guerrero of the Dodgers (1981); Boston's Manny Ramirez (2004); and Jermaine Dye of the White Sox (2005).
• Zobrist went 1-for-5 in Game 7 tonight and put the Cubs on top with his his RBI-double in the top of the 10th inning.
• The Illinois native went 10-for-28 (.357) with two doubles, a triple, two RBI and five runs scored in the series.
• For his career, he is now batting .293 (17-for-58) in the World Series. He has hit safely in nine of his last 10 World Series games, and in 10 of his last 12 dating back to Game 1 of last year's Fall Classic.
WINNING GAME 6 AND 7
• The Cubs became the 20th team to come back from down 3-2 in the Fall Classic under the current seven-game format.
• Prior to tonight, the last team to turn the trick was the 2011 Cardinals, who trailed the Rangers 3-2 before taking both games back in St. Louis. The others include the 2002 Angels (over SF); 2001 Diamondbacks (over NYY); 1991 Twins (over ATL); 1987 Twins (over STL); 1986 Mets (over BOS); 1985 Royals (over STL); 1982 Cardinals (over MIL); 1979 Pirates (over BAL); 1973 Athletics (over NYM); 1968 Tigers (over STL); 1958 Yankees (over MIL); 1952 Yankees (over BRO); 1946 Cardinals (over BOS); 1940 Reds (over DET); 1934 Cardinals (over DET); 1926 Cardinals (over NYY); 1925 Pirates (over WSH); and 1924 Senators (over NYG).
• The last team to win Games 6 and 7 of the World Series on the road after trailing 3-2 was the 1979 Pirates, who won Games 6 and 7 at Baltimore. In addition, the 1968 Tigers, the 1958 Yankees, the 1952 Yankees, the 1934 Cardinals and the 1926 Cardinals all won Games 6 and 7 on the road to win the World Series.
COMING BACK FROM DOWN 3-1
• The Cubs became the seventh team in World Series history to come back from down 3-1 to win the series. The previous six teams to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series include the 1985 Royals, 1979 Pirates, 1968 Tigers, 1958 Yankees, 1925 Pirates and the 1903 Pilgrims (best-of-9).
• This is the first time that the Cubs came back to win a best-of-seven series in which they trailed 3-1. In the previous five instances, Chicago lost each series, including the 1910 World Series vs. Philadelphia (lost series in five); the 1918 World Series vs. Boston (lost series in six); the 1929 World Series vs. Philadelphia (lost series in five); the 1935 World Series vs. Detroit (lost series in six); and the 1989 NLCS vs. San Francisco (lost series in five).
IN GAME SEVEN
• The road team has now been victorious in 20 of the 38 (52.6%) best-of-seven Game 7s.
• The Cubs are just the second road team in the last 11 Game 7s to come out on top, joining the 2014 Giants, who defeated the Royals in Game 7 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Prior to the Giants, the last road team to win a Game 7 of the World Series was the 1979 Pirates at Baltimore.
GAME 7 RESULTS
• The Cubs are now 1-2 in Game 7s overall, includ- ing 1-1 in the Fall Classic. Prior to tonight's win, the losses came in Game 7 of the 1945 World Series against Detroit, and Game 7 of the 2003 NLCS against Florida, both of which were played at Wrigley Field.
• The Indians are now 0-3 in Game 7s overall, inlcuding 0-2 in the World Series. In addition to tonight's loss, the previous losses came in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series against Florida, and Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS against Boston, both of which took place on the road. (Note - Cleveland defeated Brooklyn in Game 7 of the 1920 best-of-nine Fall Classic to clinch the title).
THIS SCENARIO
• This is the third time in World Series history that a series has followed the following scenario: home team wins Game 1; road team wins Game 2; road team wins Game 3; road team wins Game 4; home team wins Game 5; road team wins Game 6; and road team wins Game 7.
• The other occurrences were in 1968, when the Tigers defeated the Cardinals in Game 7 on the road, and in 1979, when the Pirates defeated the Orioles in Game 7 on the road.
EXTRA EXTRA
• Tonight was the 60th extra-inning game in World Series his- tory, and just the fifth in a decisive game in the World Series. The others include Game 7 of the 1997 World Series (Florida overa Cleveland); Game 7 of the 1991 World Series (Minnesota over Atlanta); Game 7 of the 1924 World Series (Washington over New York); and Game 8 of the 1912 World Series (Boston over New York).
• The Cubs became the first road team to win an extra-inning game in the decisive game of the Fall Classic.
TEAM EFFORT
The Cubs had eight different players record an RBI in tonight's game, the most of any team in Game 7 of a World Series. The previous mark of seven was set by the Cardinals in Game 7 of the 1934 World Series against Detroit.
ROSS HOMER
• David Ross homered in the top of the sixth inning to extend Chicago's lead to 6-3, becoming the oldest player in history to homer in Game 7 of the World Series at 39 years, 228 days old. Hall of Famer Willie Stargell was 39 years, 225 days old when he homered in Game 7 of the 1979 Fall Classic.
• Ross became the oldest player to homer in a World Series game since Hall of Famer Eddie Murray homered in Game 2 of the 1995 World Series for Cleveland at 39 years, 240 days old.
LESTER OUT OF THE PEN
• Tonight marked Jon Lester's fourth career relief appearance. Each of his previous three came with Boston during the 2007 season, with the last two coming during the Posteason. Lester tossed 2.0 perfect innings on September 30, 2007 vs. Minnesota; pitched 0.2 innings in Game 2 of the 2007 ALCS; and tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in Game 4 of the 2007 ALCS.
• Lester tossed 3.0 innings out of the bullpen tonight, matching his career-high in relief, done in Game 4 of the 2007 ALCS.
HATS OFF
• Kyle Schwarber capped an impressive series under unusual circumstances with three hits in tonight's game.
• Schwarber went 3-for-5 tonight and finished this World Series 7-for-17 (.412) with a double and two RBI.
• For his career in the Postseason, Kyle is now batting .364 (16-for-44) with a double, five home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs scored.
TOP OF THE ORDER PRODUCTION
Cubs leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler and number two hitter Kyle Schwarber each had three hits in tonight's game. It marked just the fourth time that a pair of teammates each had at least three hits in a decisive Game 7 of the World Series. The others to do so inlcuded Larry Doyle and Chief Meyers (three hits each) for the 1912 Giants, Omar Moreno (three hits) and Willie Stargell (four hits) for the 1979 Pirates, and George Brett (four hits) and Darryl Motley (three hits) for the 1985 Royals.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST
• The Cubs hit three home runs tonight, marking the fourth time that a team has hit at least three homers in Game 7 of the Fall Classic. The others to do so were the 1956 Yankees (four homers); the 1960 Pirates (three homers); and the 1964 Yankees (three homers).
• The four home runs hit overall tonight marked the fifth Game 7 in World Series history with at least four homers. The others came in 1956 (Yankees hit four, Dodgers hit zero); in 1960 (Pirates hit three, Yankees hit two); in 1964 (Yankees hit three, Cardinals hit two); and in 1986 (Mets hit two, Red Sox hit two).
• Tonight's 8-7 final was the highest scoring decisive World Series game since 1960, when the Pirates beat the Yankees, 10-9.
JOE MADDON
Joe Maddon, the 53rd manager in Cubs history since their last World Series title, joins Frank Chance as the only managers in Cubs history to lead the Cubs to a World Series title.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT...
When the Indians scored two runs on Jon Lester's wild pitch, it was the second time in Indians Postseason history that two runs scored on a wild pitch or passed ball. In Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS, Ruben Amaro and Kenny Lofton both scored on a passed ball in the eighth inning at Seattle.
UNUSUAL NIGHT FOR MILLER
Andrew Miller allowed four hits in his 2.1 innings pitched tonight. It was just the fifth time in his career that he allowed at least four hits in a relief appearance, and the first time since August 4, 2011 with Boston against the Indians, when he allowed four hits over 2.2 innings of relief.
BRANDON GUYER
Brandon Guyer became the first player ever to enter as a substitute and have two hits in a deciding game of the World Series. Frank “Home Run” Baker in 1921 and Charley Hall in 1912 each did so in Game 7s of a best-of-nine series.
LATE AND GREAT
• Rajai Davis hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman. It marked the latest game-tying or go-ahead homer in the eighth inning-or-later of a deciding World Series game since Alfonso Soriano in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
• The homer tied for the latest deficit-erasing home run ever in Game 7 of the World Series. In 1960, Hal Smith's three-run homer gave the Pirates a 9-7 lead over the Yankees.
INDIANS STAFF
• The Indians surrendered a total of 17 runs over the last two games of this series (nine runs in Game 6 and eight runs in Game 7). The staff allowed just 23 total runs over the first 13 games of the Postseason before Game 6 of the Fall Classic.
• The club's 80 strikeouts in relief this Postseason ranked second all-time by any team in a single Postseason, trailing only the 2015 Kansas City Royals (89).
• Cleveland pitchers recorded 145 strikeouts overall this Postseason, which was the fourth-most in a single Postseason, trailing the 2015 Royals (160); the 2010 Rangers (150); and the 2013 Cardinals (149).
• Cleveland pitchers had a combined 64 strikeouts in this World Series, which was second-most in a single Fall Classic, behind the 2001 Yankees (70).
• The Chicago Cubs claimed their third World Series title in franchise history, joining 1907, when they defeated the Detroit Tigers (4-0-1), and 1908, when they defeated the Tigers (4-1).
• The 107-season drought without a World Series title had been the longest drought without a championship in the four major sports.
BEN ZOBRIST NAMED WORLD SERIES MVP
• Cubs outfielder Ben Zobrist was named the winner of the World Series Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet.
• Zobrist, who was part of Kansas City's 2015 World Series-winning team, becomes the first Cubs player to win the MVP Award, which originated in 1955.
• He is just the seventh outfielder (eighth time overall) to be named MVP, joining Hall of Famer Frank Robinson of the Orioles (1966); Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente of the Pirates (1971); Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson of the Athletics (1973) and for the Yankees (1977); Pedro Guerrero of the Dodgers (1981); Boston's Manny Ramirez (2004); and Jermaine Dye of the White Sox (2005).
• Zobrist went 1-for-5 in Game 7 tonight and put the Cubs on top with his his RBI-double in the top of the 10th inning.
• The Illinois native went 10-for-28 (.357) with two doubles, a triple, two RBI and five runs scored in the series.
• For his career, he is now batting .293 (17-for-58) in the World Series. He has hit safely in nine of his last 10 World Series games, and in 10 of his last 12 dating back to Game 1 of last year's Fall Classic.
WINNING GAME 6 AND 7
• The Cubs became the 20th team to come back from down 3-2 in the Fall Classic under the current seven-game format.
• Prior to tonight, the last team to turn the trick was the 2011 Cardinals, who trailed the Rangers 3-2 before taking both games back in St. Louis. The others include the 2002 Angels (over SF); 2001 Diamondbacks (over NYY); 1991 Twins (over ATL); 1987 Twins (over STL); 1986 Mets (over BOS); 1985 Royals (over STL); 1982 Cardinals (over MIL); 1979 Pirates (over BAL); 1973 Athletics (over NYM); 1968 Tigers (over STL); 1958 Yankees (over MIL); 1952 Yankees (over BRO); 1946 Cardinals (over BOS); 1940 Reds (over DET); 1934 Cardinals (over DET); 1926 Cardinals (over NYY); 1925 Pirates (over WSH); and 1924 Senators (over NYG).
• The last team to win Games 6 and 7 of the World Series on the road after trailing 3-2 was the 1979 Pirates, who won Games 6 and 7 at Baltimore. In addition, the 1968 Tigers, the 1958 Yankees, the 1952 Yankees, the 1934 Cardinals and the 1926 Cardinals all won Games 6 and 7 on the road to win the World Series.
COMING BACK FROM DOWN 3-1
• The Cubs became the seventh team in World Series history to come back from down 3-1 to win the series. The previous six teams to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series include the 1985 Royals, 1979 Pirates, 1968 Tigers, 1958 Yankees, 1925 Pirates and the 1903 Pilgrims (best-of-9).
• This is the first time that the Cubs came back to win a best-of-seven series in which they trailed 3-1. In the previous five instances, Chicago lost each series, including the 1910 World Series vs. Philadelphia (lost series in five); the 1918 World Series vs. Boston (lost series in six); the 1929 World Series vs. Philadelphia (lost series in five); the 1935 World Series vs. Detroit (lost series in six); and the 1989 NLCS vs. San Francisco (lost series in five).
IN GAME SEVEN
• The road team has now been victorious in 20 of the 38 (52.6%) best-of-seven Game 7s.
• The Cubs are just the second road team in the last 11 Game 7s to come out on top, joining the 2014 Giants, who defeated the Royals in Game 7 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Prior to the Giants, the last road team to win a Game 7 of the World Series was the 1979 Pirates at Baltimore.
GAME 7 RESULTS
• The Cubs are now 1-2 in Game 7s overall, includ- ing 1-1 in the Fall Classic. Prior to tonight's win, the losses came in Game 7 of the 1945 World Series against Detroit, and Game 7 of the 2003 NLCS against Florida, both of which were played at Wrigley Field.
• The Indians are now 0-3 in Game 7s overall, inlcuding 0-2 in the World Series. In addition to tonight's loss, the previous losses came in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series against Florida, and Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS against Boston, both of which took place on the road. (Note - Cleveland defeated Brooklyn in Game 7 of the 1920 best-of-nine Fall Classic to clinch the title).
THIS SCENARIO
• This is the third time in World Series history that a series has followed the following scenario: home team wins Game 1; road team wins Game 2; road team wins Game 3; road team wins Game 4; home team wins Game 5; road team wins Game 6; and road team wins Game 7.
• The other occurrences were in 1968, when the Tigers defeated the Cardinals in Game 7 on the road, and in 1979, when the Pirates defeated the Orioles in Game 7 on the road.
EXTRA EXTRA
• Tonight was the 60th extra-inning game in World Series his- tory, and just the fifth in a decisive game in the World Series. The others include Game 7 of the 1997 World Series (Florida overa Cleveland); Game 7 of the 1991 World Series (Minnesota over Atlanta); Game 7 of the 1924 World Series (Washington over New York); and Game 8 of the 1912 World Series (Boston over New York).
• The Cubs became the first road team to win an extra-inning game in the decisive game of the Fall Classic.
TEAM EFFORT
The Cubs had eight different players record an RBI in tonight's game, the most of any team in Game 7 of a World Series. The previous mark of seven was set by the Cardinals in Game 7 of the 1934 World Series against Detroit.
ROSS HOMER
• David Ross homered in the top of the sixth inning to extend Chicago's lead to 6-3, becoming the oldest player in history to homer in Game 7 of the World Series at 39 years, 228 days old. Hall of Famer Willie Stargell was 39 years, 225 days old when he homered in Game 7 of the 1979 Fall Classic.
• Ross became the oldest player to homer in a World Series game since Hall of Famer Eddie Murray homered in Game 2 of the 1995 World Series for Cleveland at 39 years, 240 days old.
LESTER OUT OF THE PEN
• Tonight marked Jon Lester's fourth career relief appearance. Each of his previous three came with Boston during the 2007 season, with the last two coming during the Posteason. Lester tossed 2.0 perfect innings on September 30, 2007 vs. Minnesota; pitched 0.2 innings in Game 2 of the 2007 ALCS; and tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in Game 4 of the 2007 ALCS.
• Lester tossed 3.0 innings out of the bullpen tonight, matching his career-high in relief, done in Game 4 of the 2007 ALCS.
HATS OFF
• Kyle Schwarber capped an impressive series under unusual circumstances with three hits in tonight's game.
• Schwarber went 3-for-5 tonight and finished this World Series 7-for-17 (.412) with a double and two RBI.
• For his career in the Postseason, Kyle is now batting .364 (16-for-44) with a double, five home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs scored.
TOP OF THE ORDER PRODUCTION
Cubs leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler and number two hitter Kyle Schwarber each had three hits in tonight's game. It marked just the fourth time that a pair of teammates each had at least three hits in a decisive Game 7 of the World Series. The others to do so inlcuded Larry Doyle and Chief Meyers (three hits each) for the 1912 Giants, Omar Moreno (three hits) and Willie Stargell (four hits) for the 1979 Pirates, and George Brett (four hits) and Darryl Motley (three hits) for the 1985 Royals.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST
• The Cubs hit three home runs tonight, marking the fourth time that a team has hit at least three homers in Game 7 of the Fall Classic. The others to do so were the 1956 Yankees (four homers); the 1960 Pirates (three homers); and the 1964 Yankees (three homers).
• The four home runs hit overall tonight marked the fifth Game 7 in World Series history with at least four homers. The others came in 1956 (Yankees hit four, Dodgers hit zero); in 1960 (Pirates hit three, Yankees hit two); in 1964 (Yankees hit three, Cardinals hit two); and in 1986 (Mets hit two, Red Sox hit two).
• Tonight's 8-7 final was the highest scoring decisive World Series game since 1960, when the Pirates beat the Yankees, 10-9.
JOE MADDON
Joe Maddon, the 53rd manager in Cubs history since their last World Series title, joins Frank Chance as the only managers in Cubs history to lead the Cubs to a World Series title.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT...
When the Indians scored two runs on Jon Lester's wild pitch, it was the second time in Indians Postseason history that two runs scored on a wild pitch or passed ball. In Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS, Ruben Amaro and Kenny Lofton both scored on a passed ball in the eighth inning at Seattle.
UNUSUAL NIGHT FOR MILLER
Andrew Miller allowed four hits in his 2.1 innings pitched tonight. It was just the fifth time in his career that he allowed at least four hits in a relief appearance, and the first time since August 4, 2011 with Boston against the Indians, when he allowed four hits over 2.2 innings of relief.
BRANDON GUYER
Brandon Guyer became the first player ever to enter as a substitute and have two hits in a deciding game of the World Series. Frank “Home Run” Baker in 1921 and Charley Hall in 1912 each did so in Game 7s of a best-of-nine series.
LATE AND GREAT
• Rajai Davis hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman. It marked the latest game-tying or go-ahead homer in the eighth inning-or-later of a deciding World Series game since Alfonso Soriano in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
• The homer tied for the latest deficit-erasing home run ever in Game 7 of the World Series. In 1960, Hal Smith's three-run homer gave the Pirates a 9-7 lead over the Yankees.
INDIANS STAFF
• The Indians surrendered a total of 17 runs over the last two games of this series (nine runs in Game 6 and eight runs in Game 7). The staff allowed just 23 total runs over the first 13 games of the Postseason before Game 6 of the Fall Classic.
• The club's 80 strikeouts in relief this Postseason ranked second all-time by any team in a single Postseason, trailing only the 2015 Kansas City Royals (89).
• Cleveland pitchers recorded 145 strikeouts overall this Postseason, which was the fourth-most in a single Postseason, trailing the 2015 Royals (160); the 2010 Rangers (150); and the 2013 Cardinals (149).
• Cleveland pitchers had a combined 64 strikeouts in this World Series, which was second-most in a single Fall Classic, behind the 2001 Yankees (70).
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