Jon Lester Extends Winning Streak As Cubs Shut Out Dodgers
Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports

Wind kept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ballpark for much of the afternoon, leading to a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. By taking two of three games at Wrigley Field, the Cubs handed the Dodgers their first series loss in the last 10 tries.

It also marked the first time since April and second time overall this season that Ross Stripling allowed three runs in a start. The loss snapped his six-game winning streak, while Jon Lester extended his to five games.

Lester was provided with an early lead as the Cubs manufactured a run in the first inning. After a hit-and-run put runners at the corners with one out, Anthony Rizzo beat out a potential double play to bring in a run on the force out.

Kyle Schwarber provided Lester with some breathing room in the fourth inning by cutting through the wind for a solo home run to center field. Kris Bryant cashed in Javier Baez’s leadoff double with an RBI single in the fifth.

While the Dodgers were held scoreless on the afternoon, it wasn’t for lack of solid contact. They had one baserunner in each of the first six innings, and when they didn’t in the seventh, registered two line outs.

The Dodgers had several fly balls die at the warning track and overall produced 14 hard-hit balls (95+ mph) over Lester’s seven innings of work. Aside from their drives to the deepest parts of Wrigley Field, the Dodgers’ best opportunity to score came in the third inning.

Chris Taylor hit a one-out double, then advanced to third base on Kiké Hernandez’s single. However, Taylor was thrown out at the plate by Jason Heyward for a double play to end the inning. Although not related to play, Taylor was later removed from the game due to hamstring tightness.

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