Chicago Cubs: Lester struggles early, offense slumps in series opener loss to Rockies

The Chicago Cubs couldn’t find enough offense against the Colorado Rockies, losing 4-1 in the series opener at Wrigley Field.

The Chicago Cubs began this 10-game homestand with a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals before taking two-of-three against the Miami Marlins. On Thursday, Chicago hoped to continue their recent offensive success against the pride of the NL West.

39,385 fans crammed into Wrigley to watch Chicago’s ace Jon Lester take on Colorado’s young gun, Tyler Chatwood.  However, many fans left disappointed at the showing their Cubbies gave.

Offensive slump

Chicago’s offense never seemed to come out of the clubhouse. Chatwood held the Cubs to just four hits over six innings, striking out four as well.

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The lone offensive bright-spot was Kris Bryant’s first inning home run on an 0-2 fastball, giving Chicago an early 1-0 lead.

Lester struggles

In three career starts against Colorado, Lester is 1-2 with a 1.69 ERA. In those games, the Rockies slashed .205/.288/.531. Tonight, he lasted five innings, giving up six hits while striking out five.

Lester needed nearly 60 pitches to get through the first two innings, in which he gave up four quick runs. Colorado scored all of their runs via five straight two-out hits. Batters are hitting .197 against Lester twith two outs this season, and .217 in his career.

Rockies offense rolls

The Rockies entered this series winners of six of their last nine games. They are currently two games up on the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in their division.  They also have not lost a road series this year.

Colorado’s star center fielder, Charlie Blackmon, came into the game hitting under .200 at
Wrigley Field in his career. He put the Rockies on the board in the second with a bloop double to left, and finished the game 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

Former Cub D.J LeMahieu continued to scorch Chicago . He hit his first home run in a Rockies uniform at Wrigley Field to cap off the second-inning onslaught. Last season, LeMahieu went 0-for-9 with five strikeouts at Wrigley

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What’s next?

Chicago (30-29) plays Colorado (39-23) at 1:20 p.m. CT on Friday afternoon.

Kyle Hendricks was scheduled to start until he was placed on the 10-day DL for right hand tendinitis.  Mike Montgomery will take Hendricks’ slot.