NEWS » TOSSEDDodgers center fielder Joc Peders

CHICAGO -- Terry Francona is on the verge of ending another long World Series drought.Call him Mgr. October.Clevelands maestro of a manager, who has pushed all the right buttons this season and especially over the past few weeks, moved closer to capturing his third Series title as the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game 4 on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead.Francona is the one who guided the Boston Red Sox around the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, helping them to their first title in 86 years. He led them to another three years later.And now hes got the resilient Indians on the edge of taking their first World Series in 68 years.The 57-year-old would never take any credit for Clevelands success, but the Indians wouldnt be where they are if not for Francona, who improved to 11-1 in World Series games.The guy everyone calls Tito -- his dads name -- claims he doesnt have a crystal ball. But he certainly seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to setting his lineup, pulling pitchers at just the right time and keeping his players focused.Following Clevelands 1-0 victory in Game 3, a chess match with Chicagos Joe Maddon which he called one of the most agonizing games of his managerial career, Francona made the difficult decision of not starting first baseman Mike Napoli in Game 4.Hes like the heart and soul of our team, Francona said beforehand. It bothers me to sit him, a lot.Francona played Carlos Santana at first instead, and the move panned out when he homered leading off the second inning against John Lackey. Francona has been forced to be creative with his lineup during the three games at Wrigley Field, where the Indians have had to play by National League rules and couldnt use their designated hitter.He took a risk by starting Santana in left field for Game 3 even though the former catcher had played just four innings in his career in left. It worked, though, as Santana caught the only ball hit his way on a night when the wind was blowing out in Wrigley.That was probably the funnest moment of the game, Francona said of Santanas catch in the first. I was going crazy in the dugout. Then I thought I better cool it because there might be another one that finds him.None did, and Francona made several more astute moves in the first Series game at Wrigley in 71 years. He pulled starter Josh Tomlin in the fifth and ace reliever Andrew Miller came in and shut down the Cubs. And when Millers turn came up to bat, Francona sent in pinch-hitter Coco Crisp, who drove in the games only run.Of course he did.Francona also got a little lucky.He made so many double switches that he ran out of position players, and was going to have to bat Game 4 starter Corey Kluber.He almost used some guys that werent on the roster, joked Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway. I mean, theres no better manager in all of baseball than him. He thinks of everything at every moment. Ive learned so much from him. Its fun to watch him do it during the game. Hes gonna use everyone in the right situation to have the most success they can possibly have, and youre seeing the results of it.Francona knew just what to do with Kluber on Saturday night.Miller was throwing in the bullpen when Anthony Rizzo doubled leading off the sixth. Miller, who has been virtually unhittable in the postseason, was ready but Francona stayed with Kluber and he promptly retired the next three batters.Its been like that all month as the Indians, who have been overlooked despite running away with the AL Central, swept Boston, beat Toronto in five games and are now a win away from their first title since 1948.That Cleveland team was managed by Lou Boudreau, who was also the clubs starting shortstop.Francona laughed before Game 4 when he was asked if he was ready to play short.Im just trying to handle managing, he said. 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PHOENIX -- This season is a lost cause for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and now some players are just trying to ensure themselves opportunities in the future.Brandon Drury strengthened his case with a timely hit Sunday.The 24-year-old utility player singled with two outs in the 12th inning to score Paul Goldschmidt, lifting the Diamondbacks over the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-9.Drury tied a career high with four hits, including a home run, and got his chance in the 12th after the Dodgers intentionally walked Jake Lamb. Ross Stripling (4-8) got the loss.It was Drurys third game-ending RBI since mid-July. He is batting .412 (33 for 80) with five doubles, five homers and 17 RBI in his last 22 games.Drury has also reached base safely in 15 straight games.The game lasted 4 hours, 29 minutes. Matt Koch (1-0) won for Arizona, his first career win.The Dodgers maintained their five-game lead in the NL West over San Francisco after the Giants lost earlier Sunday. Los Angeles hosts the Giants for a three-game series that starts Monday.Goldschmidt stretched a base hit into a double with two outs in the 12th, then Lamb was issued a walk to bring up Drury.A credit to Goldschmidt. Oh for 5 and hes still running out singles up the middle and he turns it into a double, Stripling said. And then we intentionally walk the lefty to get to Drury, whos had a good day. Get 1-1 and try to throw a heater up and it just kind of stays middle-middle.Howie Kendrick broke a 7-all tie in the eighth with a two-out, two-run double, but Chris Owings hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth to make it 9-9.The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with walks in the eighth and had a chance to regain the lead after blowing a 6-0 advantage, but Mitch Haniger grounded out sharply to third base to end the inning.Both teams had two runners on base in the ninth but couldnt deliver. Owings struck out against Stripling with the potential winning run at third base in the ninth.Adrian Gonzalezs pinch-hit double in the sixth with two outs and the bases loaded tied it at 7, part of a six-run inning for Los Angeles.Haniger, another young player trying to show well, had three hits, including a two-run homer.We dont worry about if were going to get a hit or score runs, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said. We just worry about getting a good at-bat and hitting the ball hard. And thats their mindset.Starter Robbie Ray struck out eight of the first 14 batters and did not allow a hit until the fifth, when Kiike Hernandez homered with two outs.dddddddddddd Ray lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on five hits, eight strikeouts and a pair of walks.The Diamondbacks tagged starter Jose De Leon for six runs, four of those earned, in 3 2/3 innings. De Leon, a rookie whod won his first two starts, gave up seven hits.Arizonas Jean Segura had his 22nd game with three or more hits this season, which tied a club record.WATSON OUTThe Diamondbacks are parting with senior vice president of baseball operations De Jon Watson, and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa said he and general manager Dave Stewart may also be fired after the season.La Russa announced Watsons departure and said he will meet with owner Ken Kendrick and president and CEO Derrick Hall eventually about his status. The Diamondbacks are a disappointing 63-86 this season.If it gets turned over the next person, you gladly turn it over, La Russa said. When were 20 games under .500, I felt if youre looking at the front office, the most responsible person, it would be me.Watson was in his second season with the club and oversaw the franchises player development and professional, amateur and international scouting departments.PEDERSON TOSSEDDodgers center fielder Joc Pederson was ejected for arguing a called third strike in the eighth inning, the fifth ejection for the team this season and his first.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Roberts said pitcher Scott Kazmir developed a blister while throwing a simulated game Sunday. Hes been on the disabled list with a neck problem since Aug. 23. ... Pitcher Alex Wood, normally a starter, will be activated from the 60-day disabled list on Monday, and Roberts plan is to start him out of the bullpen for an inning. It figures to be Woods role for however long the Dodgers season lasts.UP NEXTDodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (11-3, 1.81) gets the start against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner on Monday night in Los Angeles. Kershaw has had two starts since coming off the 60-day disabled list earlier this month. You look at the way our rotation is configured, the same way the Giants is configured, Roberts said. It gives the best chance against those guys and I think they feel the same about playing against us.Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks begin a 10-game trip in San Diego on Monday, with Braden Shipley (4-3, 5.56) on the mound against Clayton Richard. ' ' '