CLEVELAND _ The Cubs are one victory from accomplishing their year-long quest of a World Series title after forcing a Game 7 on Tuesday night with a 9-3 triumph over the Indians.
As Addison Russell's grand slam disappeared into the center field bleachers in the third inning, the Cubs were a long way to Game 7 with a 7-0 lead.
Russell's slam off reliever Dan Otero epitomized the resiliency of the Cubs as they evened this best-of-seven series at three games apiece, coming back from a 3-1 deficit with two straight victories.
The prospect of becoming the first Cubs team to win a Series since 1908 never has been so close, yet so daunting as they will face Indians ace Corey Kluber in a Game 7.
Kluber has won each of his two Series starts but will be pitching on three days' rest for the second consecutive outing.
Short rest didn't exactly help Josh Tomlin, as the Cubs quickly solved his curveball with three runs in the first and loading the bases in the third before Russell hit his record-setting grand slam on a 2-0 pitch off Otero.
Perhaps it's fitting that Russell hit the slam to vault the Cubs closer to a Series title. When President Theo Epstein moved veteran pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Athletics in a five-player deal involving Russell, that marked the final significant trade designed to help the Cubs rebuild at the expense of veterans.
Russell's slam was the first for the Cubs in Series history and the first in the Series since Paul Konerko of the White Sox did it in Game 2 in 2005.
Russell also was the beneficiary of a misplay when right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall cut in front of center fielder Tyler Naquin as the ball fell safely between them for a two-run double that capped the three-run first.
Ben Zobrist ran over Roberto Perez in front of home plate to complete the play and exchanged a hard hand slap with Anthony Rizzo, who pumped his fist after Jason Kipnis' relay throw bounced away from Perez.
Russell joined Bobby Richardson (1960), Hideki Matsui (2009) and Albert Pujols (2011) as the only players to drive in six runs in a Series game.
Kris Bryant started the three-run first with two out when he smacked a hanging inside curve on an 0-2 pitch into the left field seats.
The large run support came in handy for Jake Arrieta, who didn't allow a hit through the first three innings but saw his pitch count climb rapidly. Right fielder Jason Heyward, starting primarily for his defensive prowess, gave Arrieta a boost in the fourth inning when he made a diving catch to rob Jose Ramirez of a hit before Arrieta loaded the bases.
Arrieta struck out Naquin to end the threat but surrendered a homer to Kipnis in the fifth and was pulled after issuing a walk to Chisenhall on his 102nd pitch with two out in the sixth.
Fortunately for the Cubs, their bullpen was well-rested after Monday's day off and that closer Aroldis Chapman was available after throwing 2 2/3 innings and 42 pitches in Sunday's 3-2 victory in Game 5.
Before the game, manager Joe Maddon spoke about the challenges he faced regarding using relievers in the most favorable situations because of the large number of left-handed hitters and switch-hitters.
"It has been hard to match up our righties to their strengths," said Maddon in explaining why he opted to use rookie Carl Edwards Jr. over veteran Pedro Strop to face Mike Napoli to start the seventh inning of Game 5.
"It's not a function of not having confidence in these other people. It's more a function of what's the right matchup based on skill sets."
