Game Fifty-One – Cubs 2, Dodgers 1
WP – Jon Lester (6-3) LP – Mike Bolsinger (1-2) Save – None
Jon Lester turned in arguably his best outing with the Cubs. Lester went the distance Wednesday night for his first complete game of the season. Kris Bryant launched a two-run homer in the third inning for the Cubs only runs on the night. Jon Lester pitched a gem as the Cubs beat the Dodgers at the old ballyard.
Jon Lester was simply outstanding. Lester retired the last 15 batters he faced and 26 of 28 batters in route to the complete game. On a night that started out on a bad note for Lester when Kike Hernandez hit his second pitch of the game into the bleachers in left field, the veteran southpaw was the horse the Cubs expect every time out.
Lester allowed just three other hits after the Hernandez homer and not a single baserunner reached over the last five innings. Lester struck out 10 without a walk on 113 pitches, 74 for strikes, in nine sensational innings.
Jon Lester maintained his velocity throughout the nine innings and had excellent command of all his pitches. Lester repeated his delivery and worked extremely well with David Ross. Lester made just the one mistake before shutting down the Dodgers.
Wednesday was Lester’s second complete game with the Cubs (2-1 win at Pittsburgh, Sept. 15)
Kris Bryant (1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI) supplied the Cubs two runs with a towering blast in the third inning.
The Cubs offense struggled against Dodgers’ pitching again. The Cubs managed only three hits, two walks and a HBP.
Dexter Fowler (0-for-2 with a walk, a HBP and a run scored) led off the third with a walk and was at first base when Bryant went yard. Anthony Rizzo (1-for-3) and Jason Heyward (1-for-3 with a walk) recorded the other two hits.
With Hector Rondon unavailable due to a stiff back, the Cubs needed Jon Lester to finish what he started. And Lester delivered a gem.
With Wednesday’s win, the Cubs improved to 36-15 on the season.
The Cubs wrap up the series with the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon (1:20pm CDT). Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to face lefty Julio Urias.