Indians vs. Cubs 2016 final score: Cleveland bullpen shines in 1-0 Game 3 win

Coco Crisp delivered an RBI pinch-hit single in the seventh inning for the only run of Game 3 of the World Series, lifting the Cleveland Indians over the Chicago Cubs 1-0 at Wrigley Field on Friday night in Chicago.

Cleveland leads the best-of-7 series, two games to one.

Both starting pitchers saw no runs cross the plate on their watch, but both Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs and Josh Tomlin of the Indians were removed in the fifth inning amid rallies, with both teams relying on their superb bullpens.

The winning rally started with a leadoff single from Roberto Perez in the seventh inning, then pinch runner Michael Martinez was bunted to second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Crisp then singled to right field with one out to deliver Martinez for the game’s only run.

The Indians’ bullpen recorded the final 13 outs of the game, and this postseason the group has a collective 1.60 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 45 innings. Cody Allen secured the final four outs for his sixth save this postseason, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position in the process.

The Indians tied a World Series record with four pitchers used in a shutout win, the first since the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 in 2005.

Cleveland improved to 8-0 when scoring first in this postseason, and 9-2 overall, now just two wins shy of their first World Series championship since 1948.

Indians relief ace Andrew Miller entered the game with Jorge Soler on second base with two outs in the fifth. Miller allowed a line drive to pinch-hitter Miguel Montero, but it was right at Lonnie Chisenhall in right field for the final out of the frame to preserve the scoreless tie.

In the sixth inning, Miller mowed through all three hitters, striking out the side to conclude his night and continue his ridiculous postseason.

Miller has appeared in eight of the Indians’ 11 games, and thrown 15 scoreless innings. He’s allowed only seven hits and four walks, with a ridiculous 27 strikeouts. That is one shy of the record for most strikeouts by a relief pitcher in one postseason, set by Francisco Rodriguez, then of the Angels in 2002.

Crisp pinch-hit for Miller to deliver the go-ahead run, giving Miller the win, his second of this postseason.

Game 4 of the World Series is Saturday night, with Corey Kluber starting on three days rest for the Indians against John Lackey for the Cubs. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.