World Series 2016: Indians take advantage of Lester's wildness, cut into Cubs' lead

Bill Bender

World Series 2016: Indians take advantage of Lester's wildness, cut into Cubs' lead image

CLEVELAND — The Indians aren't done quite yet, thanks to a wild play.

Jon Lester threw a wild pitch in the fifth inning that allowed two runs to score and cut Chicago’s lead in half in Game 7 of the World Series.

The Cubs led 5-1 with two outs in the frame, but Lester — who had come on in relief of starter Kyle Hendricks — threw a pitch that bounced off catcher David Ross’ facemask and rolled all the way to the first-base dugout. Carlos Santana scored easily from third, but Jason Kipnis followed behind him and scored from second base. 

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Lester escaped the inning without further damage.

Ross replaced Willson Contreras at catcher when Lester replaced Hendricks.

The Cubs led 5-3 heading into the sixth inning. Ross got one of those runs back in the sixth with a one-out solo home run off Indians ace reliever Andrew Miller.

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.