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CLEVELAND -- They conquered injuries, adversity and doubts all season. The little team that could.The Indians were models of resiliency, the comeback kids. Knock `em down, they bounced right back, and they did it again in Game 7 on the brink of heartbreak.But they couldnt contain the curse-busting Cubs.Clevelands unexpected, unforgettable season ended one victory shy of -- and so achingly close to -- a World Series title as Chicago completed a comeback from a 3-1 deficit to capture its first championship since 1908, beating the Indians 8-7 in 10 innings early Thursday.The Indians just didnt have enough as ace Corey Kluber couldnt win for a third time in the Series, Andrew Miller looked mortal in relief and an overtaxed bullpen finally crumbled in extra innings.It wasnt meant to be, but following a game hell never forget, Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis was filled with pride.There is nothing for us to hang our heads about, he said. We overcame every single thing they could throw at us. We had injuries. We had you name it, and not once did we use it as an excuse.All we did was put our noses to the ground and kept fighting. We took a very good ballclub to extra innings of Game 7 of the World Series, so I dont think Ill be hanging my head for too long. Im very proud of what weve done.Down 5-1, the Indians never stopped.They scored two runs in the fifth when both Carlos Santana and Kipnis scored on a wild pitch, and when Rajai Davis connected for a two-run homer in the eighth to tie it 6-all, the season was saved -- only briefly.But this year belongs to the Cubs, who scored twice in the 10th off Bryan Shaw following a 17-minute rain delay.Cleveland tried to rally again in the bottom half, when Davis two-out RBI single made it 8-7. But then Michael Martinez, who was twice claimed off waivers in the regular season and wasnt on the opening day roster, grounded out.We fought all year, Kipnis said. We fought all game.It was all manager Terry Francona could ask from a team that was overlooked for months. Following the game, he thanked his players for their effort and a run they hope to take a step further in the future.I just told them its going to hurt, he said. It hurts because we care, but they need to walk with their head held high because they left nothing on the field.They tried until there was nothing left.Forced to take on Americas new favorite postseason pastime, these talented Cubbies, without two talented starting pitchers, Cleveland came up just a bit short.Now the Indians World Series drought of 68 years is baseballs longest.After the final out, most Cleveland players quickly left the dugout. Not Kipnis, who grew up in suburban Chicago rooting for the Cubs. He leaned on the railing and briefly watched a celebration that remains only a dream, but one that seems more attainable for the Indians.This one hurts for Cleveland fans, but not as much as 1997, when the Indians blew a late lead in Game 7 on a humid night in Florida and lost in extra innings to the Marlins.The 2016 Indians werent expected to win the AL Central or beat Boston in the Division Series or take out Toronto in the AL Championship Series or push Chicago up against the wall. And yet, thats what the Indians did, which is why it will sting all winter.It was right there for them. After winning two of three at Wrigley Field, the Indians came home to Progressive Field with two chances to close out the Cubs, but couldnt get it done. Cleveland is the first Series team since the 1979 Baltimore Orioles to lose Games 6 and 7 in its own ballpark.Kluber, magnificent throughout the Indians dash through October, ran out of gas on a warm November night.Taking on the Cubs for the third time in nine days was too much to ask of the right-hander, who won his first two starts in the Series. He gave up a homer to Dexter Fowler on his fourth pitch and was pulled in the fifth by Francona, who had no choice but to start the 30-year-old on short rest if the Indians were going to have any chance against Chicagos loaded lineup.I just made a few mistakes and they were able to hit a couple home runs off of them, Kluber said. Those couple runs in the fourth inning were kind of hard to swallow.And while Kluber wasnt as sharp in Game 7 as he had been, neither was Miller.The lights-out left-hander, whose acquisition at the trade deadline vaulted the Indians from competitive to contenders, allowed two runs -- one a homer to 39-year-old Cubs catcher David Ross -- and didnt dominate. Entering Game 7, he had allowed just one run in 17 innings over nine appearances this postseason.It was awesome to fight like that throughout the game, Miller said. I wish I had made a couple better pitches and we wouldnt have had to play at the end there.As it turned out, a second title for a Cleveland team in four months was too much to ask.When LeBron James and the Cavaliers ended the citys 52-year championship drought in June, the Indians went along for the ride as Cleveland morphed into Believeland and there was a feeling anything was possible.And it was, until the Cubs came calling.The Indians moved into first place in the AL Central on June 4 and never moved out. They won 14 straight games from June 17 to July 1 -- a run that coincided with the Cavs winning their title -- and then held off the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers despite losing starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to injuries in September.Cleveland played all but 11 games without All-Star left fielder Michael Brantley, who tried but couldnt make it back following offseason shoulder surgery. The Indians also shook off PED suspensions of outfielders Marlon Byrd and Abraham Almonte by acquiring Coco Crisp and Brandon Guyer, two veterans who not only plugged holes in the lineup but provided veteran leadership for Clevelands youngsters.But Francona was the real difference maker.The 57-year-old manager, who guided Boston to two World Series titles, somehow steered the Indians around danger for months. He got the most out of this team, mostly unknowns to the rest of the country, but now one worth watching for years to come.Well be back, Kipnis said. Josh Jackson Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Ron Lee Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. https://www.cheapsunsonline.com/879z-stephon-marbury-jersey-suns.html . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Gus Johnson Jersey . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Kevin Johnson Jersey . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber admitted there was an extra buzz in the Indians clubhouse before Sundays game against Oakland. Acquiring one of the best relievers can do that to a team.There was definitely a good vibe, Kluber said after limiting the Athletics to five hits over seven innings in an 8-0 win. You could tell there was a little more excitement than normal at 9 oclock in the morning.Clevelands postseason hopes received a boost by acquiring All-Star Andrew Miller from the Yankees for four prospects. Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer and the Indians completed a three-game sweep.Miller figures to become a setup man for closer Cody Allen.When you make moves like this, its exactly what you need, said second baseman Jason Kipnis, who drove in three runs. Its a jolt in the arm.The Indians also tried to acquire Jonathan Lucroy from Milwaukee, but the All-Star catcher refused to waive his no-trade provision.Kluber (10-8) struck out seven and walked two, retiring Max Muncy and Ryon Healy to strand runners on second and third in the seventh. He is 4-1 in his last seven starts.You try to put up as many zeroes as you can and the offense put up eight runs, so its a good day, Kluber said.Three relievers completed the six-hitter.Sonny Gray (5-10) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings for the As, who started 9-4 after the All-Star break before getting swept.Felt good about where we were, Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. We ran into a buzz saw here.Following a 36-minute rain delay at the start, Cleveland went ahead in a five-run third that included Napolis homer, Kipnis two-run single and Francisco Lindors sacrifice fly.Napolis team-leading 24th home run this season was his 1,000th career hit.dddddddddddd Lonnie Chisenhall, Tyler Naquin and Abraham Almonte each had two hits.Cleveland maintained a 4 1/2 game lead over Detroit in the AL Central and manager Terry Francona knows the Indians need production throughout lineup to stay on top.We need to be that kind of team where were getting contributions and not giving pitchers innings off, he said.Roberto Perez was 1 for 23 this season when Gray walked him in the third, loading the bases. Perez singled in a run in the fourth.NO LUCROYFrancona had no comment about Lucroys decision to veto the trade that would have given the Indians a much-needed boost behind the plate.I dont know the specifics of why he chose to use that no-trade, but he had that in his contract, so thats his right, Kluber said. As far as were concerned, well move forward with the guys we do have here.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: LHP Rich Hill (middle finger blister) could start Friday against the Chicago Cubs. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, retroactive to July 20.Indians: 1B Carlos Santana left the game in the ninth with cramping in his right hamstring, but Francona said hell be OK.UP NEXTAthletics: LHP Sean Manaea faces the Angels for the first time in his career Monday in the opener of a three-game series. He hasnt walked a batter in 26 2/3 innings over his last four appearances.Indians: RHP Danny Salazar has a 2.97 ERA, the fourth lowest in the AL going into Mondays start against Minnesota. Hes 6-0 with a 2.68 ERA in eight starts this season against AL Central teams. ' ' '