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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. Custom Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Custom Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Cheap . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. http://www.hockeyjerseyscustom.com/ . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. Discount Custom Hockey Jerseys . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Custom Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Cheap . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. PHOENIX --?Toronto?slugger Jose Bautista is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday and could rejoin the Blue Jays when they open a three-game interleague series at home against the?San Diego Padres?on Monday.Bautista, out since June 16 with turf toe, will play for Class A Dunedin on Wednesday and compete in three games with Triple-A Buffalo over the weekend.If alls good, youll probably see him Monday, I would guess, manager JJohn Gibbons said before the Blue Jays played the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.ddddddddddddIn 65 games this season, Bautista, 35, is batting .230 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.Gibbons said Bautista will be the designated hitter in some games, as well as filling his customary position in right field. ' ' '