Chicago Cubs offense breaks out as Jon Lester dominates Braves

 The Chicago Cubs took on the Atlanta Braves Monday night at Wrigley Field in a matchup of two teams that are in first place in their divisions. The Cubs cruised to an 8-3 win.

This was a game that I feel as if the Chicago Cubs and their fans really needed. It seemed like everything tonight was working. Great starting pitching, the offense broke out, and the bullpen held on. After a slow start to this homestand, this win felt good.

Jon Lester took the mound on Monday against one of the very best lineups in the National League, and boy did he answer the call. Lester was terrific tonight, which is something I feel as if he needed after a disappointing last few starts.

Lester went six innings giving up five hits no earned runs, and no walks all while striking out seven. One of Lester’s best performances of the year. It came at a good time because it seemed like during the last week other than Cole Hamels all the other Cubs starters have struggled. Lester did give up two unearned runs in the sixth inning after a Bote error.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• 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

The Cubs offense got going in the second inning on a solo homer by Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras. This set off fireworks for both teams because after Contreras hit the homer he turned around and seemed to say something to the home plate up or Braves catcher Tyler Flowers.

Then as he was rounding first base, Contreras pointed into the Braves dugout. When Contreras got to home plate he and Flowers were exchanging words and then the benches cleared, no punches were thrown just some arguing between the two teams.

The Braves swept the Cubs back during the first week of the season in Atlanta, so this could be a reason for the bad blood between the teams. To top off the big night, Contreras had two hits tonight and three RBIs.

The Cubs offense broke out in the fifth inning scoring five runs in the frame, putting the game out of reach right there. In the fifth the Cubs had three opposite-field RBI’s and that always good to see the guys using the opposite field. Javier Baez continues to crush on 0-2 counts as he had an RBI double on a 0-2 pitch. Jason Heyward contained to be on a hot streak as he had two hits a double and a homer in the eighth inning.

Tony Barnette made his Cubs debut and struggled. He only recorded one out, and he gave up a solo homer and a bloop single. Steve Cishek came on in the ninth and got the last three outs striking out two.

The Cubs take on the Braves again on Tuesday night as Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay (1-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his first Major League start against Braves lefty Max Fried (8-3, 4.03 ERA.)