Maddon appreciates Zobrist’s unique impact

CLEVELAND — It was one of dozens of plays that mattered. It was also easy to overlook in the course of a tense, wonderful World Series game that had all kinds of nooks and crannies.

Afterward, though, it was one of the first things Cubs manager Joe Maddon mentioned in discussing a 3-2 victory in Game 5 on Sunday. As usual, his left fielder, Ben Zobrist, had caught his eye.

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“Don’t understate how important that play was Zobrist made,” Maddon said. “A lot of times that would have turned into a double. That was a great play by Zo.”

Game Date Time (air time/game time) Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 25   CLE 6, CHC 0 Gm 2 Oct. 26   CHC 5, CLE 1 Gm 3 Oct. 28   CLE 1, CHC 0 Gm 4 Oct. 29   CLE 7, CHC 2 Gm 5 Oct. 30   CHC 3, CLE 2 Gm 6 Nov. 1 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX *Gm 7 Nov. 2 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX * If necessary | All times listed ET • World Series coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Indians

The Cubs were holding onto that 3-2 lead when Indians first baseman Mike Napoli led off the top of the seventh inning by slapping a ball into the left-field corner.

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As the play began to unfold, it looked like a sure double. But Zobrist got to the ball quickly and fired it back into the infield so precisely that Napoli settled for a single.

Moments later, Napoli got to second base on a passed ball. If Zobrist hadn’t cut off the ball in left, Napoli would have been on third with no outs and might have scored the tying run when Carlos Santana flied out to left.

At that point, everything would have changed as the Cubs fought to avoid elimination. Instead, that tying run remained at second as Maddon summoned closer Aroldis Chapman for the final eight outs, forcing the World Series …

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