Jon Lester Finally Picked Somebody Off

Burnett gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Cervelli singled to left, Florimon to third. “I made a good pitch on Marte and then I could have cost us the ballgame with that throw to first base”.

Arrieta’s bid to become the first 20-game winner in the majors went along smoothly before he wavered in the eighth as Pittsburgh rallied to tie it. Arrieta allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits but received a no-decision after winning eight consecutive starts since Aug. 4. With the crowd chanting his name, Lester struck out pinch-hitter Jung Ho Kang with catcher David Ross pumping his fist in celebration. “We gave up the one right there to get two and we did a great job”.

“Of course, you have to consider him, no doubt – just for his glove if anything”, Maddon said.

Which brings us to tonight.

Lester began the year as Chicago’s de facto ace thanks to a $155-million contract he signed in the offseason.

No matter. The Chicago Cubs did what they’ve done every time Arrieta has pitched over the past six weeks: They won.

Pittsburgh rested regulars Gregory Polanco, Pedro Alvarez and Kang against Lester, who took advantage by silencing the backups and watched Chicago’s offense do just enough against the resurgent Happ.

Rizzo singled in the sixth and scored on a double by Kris Bryant. He exited with runners in scoring position and two outs in the sixth. Polanco grounded to second, but rather than go to second for the forceout, Castro hesitated and went to first instead, giving pinch-runner Sean Rodriguez time to cross the plate safely before a double play was completed with several throws. Florimon pinch-running for N.Walker. The replay command center in New York City determined that Montero was reacting to the trajectory of Baez’s throw, and therefore he was not breaking the home-plate collision rule.

Tony Watson (4-1) pitched a scoreless eighth. Gibson accomplished the feat in 1968 en route to the Cy Young, with a minuscule 0.25 ERA over those eight wins. After beginning the season poorly, in his past 16 starts Lester has a “2.97 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 106 strikeouts against 23 walks in 103 innings”, according to CBS Sports. On Tuesday, he was briefly able to conquer his demons. The 38-year-old, in the final season of his career, pitched five innings in a no decision against Milwaukee on Thursday.