Chicago Cubs’ Lester flirts with no-no in complete game win

On the day Anthony Rizzo celebrated eight years in remission, the Chicago Cubs flirted with history. Well, veteran southpaw Jon Lester was the man who nearly put his name into the record books.

Instead of hurling a no-no, Lester recorded his 14th career complete game and helped his club reach 40 games above .500. Which is absolutely fantastic — it also helps them inch closer to clinching the National League Central. Their first division title since the 2008 campaign.

But while Lester was dealing on the mound, there wasn’t much offense on both sides of the diamond. Unlike yesterday, the Cubs (87-47) and Giants (72-62) combined for three runs on eight hits in game two of this weekend set.

One man who stood out in Friday’s evening opener was outfielder Hunter Pence. Pence hammered a two-run homer in the first inning of the game and later added a single in his next at-bat.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis

And today, he would be responsible for breaking up Lester’s no-hitter with his second home run of the series during the seventh inning. In addition, shortstop Brandon Crawford doubled out to center field, picking up San Francisco’s second hit of the game.

Yet with the no-hitter no longer intact, manager Joe Maddon kept his lefty on the mound. His bullpen picked up a ton of slack in last night’s 5-4 win. Much deserved rest after a good night at the office, right?

Just Enough

Lester (15-4, 2.61 ERA) held San Francisco to one earned run on three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. His fourth and final strikeout of the afternoon came against the final batter of the game, Crawford.

Although, today’s offensive showing wasn’t much, the Cubs recorded a double and a single in the third inning. David Ross scored the first run of the game, punching his sixth double out to left field to score Javier Baez.

Moments later, outfielder Dexter Fowler drove in Ross from second, giving Lester a 2-0 lead with only one out in the frame. Despite only one out and runner’s on, the Cubs were unable to push any more across the plate.

Next: Russell lifts Cubs; Update on Strop

Rizzo lined out to center field following Kris Bryant‘s six-pitch walk. Second baseman Ben Zobrist ended the frame by grounding out to his counterpart, Joe Panik. Now it’s onto the next one which is considered to be a heavyweight title fight.

Taking the mound for the Cubs will be ace right-hander, Jake Arrieta. As for the visiting team, their ace southpaw, Madison Bumgarner gets the call opposite Arrieta.