<P> Former Indians and Cubs player Kenny Lofton threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 . Corey Kluber started for the Indians, and Jon Lester started for the Cubs . Kyle Schwarber, who had missed nearly all of the 2016 season after tearing ligaments in his leg in the season's fourth game, was added to the Cubs' World Series roster and started as their designated hitter . Schwarber struck out twice, but also doubled and drew a walk . The double made Schwarber the first non-pitcher to get his first hit of the season in the World Series . </P> <P> Kluber made World Series history by striking out eight hitters in the first three innings . Roberto Pérez became the first ever ninth - place hitter with two homers in a World Series game, the first Indians player to hit two homers in a Series game, and the first Puerto Rican - born player to hit two homers in a World Series game . In the first, the Indians loaded the bases off Lester on a single and two walks before José Ramirez's single drove in a run, then Lester hit Brandon Guyer with a pitch to force in another . Perez's home run in the fifth made it 3 − 0 Indians . In the eighth, Justin Grimm walked Guyer with two outs and allowed a single to Lonnie Chisenhall, then Hector Rondon allowed Perez's second home run of the night . Andrew Miller and Cody Allen finished the victory for the Indians despite Miller having to pitch out of a bases - loaded jam in the seventh, and the Indians took Game 1 of the series 6--0 . Francona's World Series winning streak reached nine with this victory . </P> <P> Leading off the first inning, Dexter Fowler became the first African - American to play for the Cubs in a World Series . </P> <Table> Wednesday, October 26, 2016 7: 08 pm (EDT) at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio <Tr> <Th> Team </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> 5 </Th> <Th> 6 </Th> <Th> 7 </Th> <Th> 8 </Th> <Th> 9 </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Chicago </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cleveland </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> 0 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="24"> WP: Jake Arrieta (1--0) LP: Trevor Bauer (0--1) Attendance: 38,172 </Td> </Tr> </Table>

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