Chicago Cubs top Rockies behind strong start from Jon Lester

Lester sharp as Cubs provide just enough offense in win

When things aren’t going well, you generally turn to your ‘ace’ to be the stopper. For the Chicago Cubs, that role has been undefined, but Jon Lester (6-8, 3.26) is starting to look like that guy more and more. The Cubs hit two home runs to back his solid eight innings in a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. Recently recalled Eddie Butler (3-7, 4.82) took the loss for the Rockies.

The Cubs (53-47) got off to a quick start as Dexter Fowler lead-off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to stake Lester to an early lead. He was already in cruise control at that point, as he wold strike out seven of the first nine on his way to 14 strikeouts. The last Cubs pitcher to achieve that feat? Mark Prior back in 2004.

The Rockies (43-56) managed an RBI sacrifice fly from Nolan Arenado in the fourth, and Carlos Gonzalez hit a solo home run in the seventh to cut it to 3-2. Anthony Rizzo provided the difference with a two-run shot in the third.

Hector Rondon returned to the closer role–at least for today–and got the save for his 13th on the year.

Fowler continued his second-half resurgence, reaching base three times after going 1-for-2 while walking twice and scoring twice to help lead the way for the offense. Starlin Castro had the day off, but was reassured by skipper Joe Maddon that, “You’re not getting traded, so relax and don’t worry about that stuff.”

With the Cubs salvaging this series, they now head to begin a seven-game road trip, starting with four against the last-place Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs can’t let up as the Crew have taken four of six against them already this season.

The Cubs will send Jake Arrieta to the mound in the opener to face the Brewers Jimmy Nelson to begin the four-game set at Miller Park.

Next: How bad is this offense?