[jg2977]

BOB COSTAS & JOE MORGAN — GAME 4 RECAP
Indians 7, Dodgers 2
Series tied 2–2
COSTAS:
“On an early November afternoon in Los Angeles, the Cleveland Indians—resilient, relentless, sometimes imperfect but always dangerous—have evened this 1926 World Series at two games apiece with a 7–2 victory that was far more lopsided for most of the day than the final score suggests.
And Joe, for five innings, this was a master class in timely hitting, opportunistic baseball, and the kind of two-out production that defines champions. Cleveland’s 15 hits, five doubles, and a steady drumbeat of pressure proved too much for the Dodgers and their starter, Charlie Shostak, who simply couldn't escape the big inning.”
MORGAN:
“Bob, the Indians didn’t try to do too much. That’s what impressed me. They hit the ball where it was pitched, they took the extra base, they stole a base, they laid down a bunt when they needed to. Look at Ramon Phipps—four hits, a double, two RBI. That’s a hitter staying inside the baseball and using the whole field.
And those two-out hits… those are back-breakers. Lopez had a couple, Herrera had one. When you do that consistently, it tells me your lineup is locked-in.”
COSTAS:
“The signature moment came in the top of the fifth—already ahead 3–0, Cleveland strung together three consecutive two-out doubles. Santiago, then Lopez, then Herrera. One after another, each rifled into the gaps, each landing with the unmistakable thud of a team seizing control of a World Series game.
Suddenly, it was 6–0, Dodger Stadium fell quiet, and the Indians had all the oxygen.”
MORGAN:
“You know who made it all stand up? Mike Niccolai. That’s a veteran outing. Eight and two-thirds innings, 134 pitches, and he never panicked—even with the defense making three errors behind him. He kept pounding the zone, mixing pitches, getting ground balls when he needed ’em.
And Bob, when your teammates struggle in the field, pitchers start to overthrow. Niccolai didn’t. That’s experience.”
COSTAS:
“Indeed. There was only the slightest hint of drama in the ninth—Los Angeles putting up a pair of runs on a double from Clevenger and a triple by pinch-hitter Aviles. But by then, the story had long been written.
The Dodgers were held scoreless for eight innings, stranding runner after runner, undone by Cleveland’s defense when it mattered and their own inability to string timely hits together.”
MORGAN:
“You leave ten guys on base in a World Series game, you’re asking for trouble. And the Dodgers did that today. Cimabue had three hits, Cortez had two—but nobody cashed ’em in. That’s the difference.”
COSTAS:
“And so, as the sun dips over Chavez Ravine, this Fall Classic turns into a best-of-three.
The Cleveland Indians, with their blend of power, speed, and clutch performance, have answered the Dodgers’ early momentum. The temperature may be cool here in Southern California, but this old rivalry between Cleveland and Los Angeles is heating up with unmistakable intensity.
Game 5 awaits. A pivotal swing game in a World Series that suddenly feels destined for seven.”