CLEVELAND _ Addison Russell's first hit Tuesday night in Game 6 of the World Series should have been an inning-ending flyout.
Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall charged toward each other in the first inning at Progressive Field and then watched as the ball fell between them as they crossed paths.
A one-run deficit grew to three runs because of the costly mistake that was scored as a Russell double and allowed two Cubs runs to cross the plate.
It's not accurate to say it silenced the ballpark _ that would be ignoring the droves of Cubs fans throughout the park who made their voices heard _ but it certainly put a damper on the festivities as the Indians returned home with a 3-2 Series lead and two chances to clinch their first title since 1948.
Russell wasn't done making the Indians' night miserable.
He forced Indians manager Terry Francona's generally sound decision-making into a misstep when he hit the third pitch reliever Dan Otero threw over the wall in left-center field for the first World Series grand slam since Paul Konerko's 2005 shot.
Otero had allowed one earned run in six innings this postseason, and Francona said earlier Tuesday that part of his value was in being able to pitch at any point in the game.
"When it's his turn to pitch, he pitches," Francona said. "I don't think we ever know going into a game when he might pitch. We've used him as early as the second or third inning, and probably as late as the 12th. ... He's kind of that wild card that we value so much."
On Tuesday, Otero's spot was with one out in the third inning after starter Josh Tomlin loaded the bases on a walk and two singles. His 2-0, 90-mph sinker to Russell resulted in a 7-0 Cubs lead.
One of the main storylines entering the game was how the Indians would deal with having to face Kyle Schwarber again as he returned as the Cubs designated hitter. But Francona cautioned against putting too much focus on him when the Cubs boast a complete lineup.
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist and Russell combined for seven hits in the first three innings, six off Tomlin.
"(Schwarber) is a very potent bat that you've got to keep track of, but so is Bryant, so is Rizzo," Francona said. "That's part of why they're good. We know where he is, but we know where everybody else is too."
The Cubs' surge ruined the night for Tomlin, who had been one of the feel-good stories of the postseason.
The 32-year-old had worked his way up through the minors, came back from elbow and shoulder surgeries in his seven-year tenure with the Indians and delivered the biggest performance of his career in the Indians' Game 3 victory. He was also pitching in front of his father, who became paralyzed from the chest down in August because of a medical condition involving circulation near his spinal cord.
Francona said the whole Indians team was thrilled for Tomlin to pitch Tuesday.
"Just when you go up through the minor leagues and you don't throw 100 (mph), you kind of have to prove yourself at every level," Francona said. "Whether it's fair or not, that's just the way it is. He's done that and then some."
Tuesday, however, wasn't his night. He was charged with six earned runs with one walk and no strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings, his shortest postseason start to date.
