Lester strong, but Cubs don't strike until 11th
Jon Lester turned the page nicely from June to July.
The Cubs' offense? Not so much, but the hitters did just enough Wednesday night for a second straight shutout victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field.
After beating the Mets 1-0 Tuesday, the Cubs "erupted" for 2 runs in the top of the 11th Wednesday and made them hold up for a 2-0 victory.
Neither team's offense has been doing much, and Cubs pitchers now have a scoreless-innings streak of 23.
The hitters have been struggling for a week. During a five-game losing streak while playing the Dodgers and Cardinals, the Cubs scored a grand total of 6 runs.
The Cubs wasted a couple of doubles against the Mets, but they finally broke through in the 11th, even as they tried to run themselves out of the inning.
Dexter Fowler led off with a walk and was forced by Anthony Rizzo. Kris Bryant singled, sending Bryant to second.
Things looked even more promising for the Cubs when Chris Coghlan lined one to left field. Third-base coach Gary Jones held Rizzo, but Bryant kept going and was tagged out trying to get back to second base.
But redemption came when Starlin Castro beat out an infield hit to third base. After Mike Baxter walked, Miguel Montero singled home the insurance run.
"It's a lot of magic," Castro told reporters in the clubhouse afterward. "We keep doing that and we'll bring that magic guy back here again."
Before the series opened Tuesday, manager Joe Maddon had a magician entertain the team to loosen things up after the losing streak.
As for Lester, he battled Mets starter Bartolo Colon and pitched 7 innings of 5-hit ball.
Lester's up-and-down season began on an up note in July. He went 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in April but followed it by going 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in May. In June, Lester was 0-3 and 5.74.
Before the game, Maddon addressed Lester's season with reporters.
"It happens," Maddon said. "When that happens, I'm looking for that next surge. I'm expecting that next surge. I know guys go through the good and the bad all season. For him personally, coming into our situation and how he got here and how he is, he's taken a lot of responsibility. All I want him do to is go play and be himself."
Against the Mets, Lester walked one and struck out seven as he lowered his season ERA from 4.03 to 3.74.
The Cubs got nice work from five relief pitchers. Jason Motte, who earned the save Tuesday night, ran his record to 6-1 by pitching the 10th and striking out two.
James Russell got two quick outs in the bottom of the 11th before giving up a single to Darrell Ceciliani. Justin Grimm replaced Russell and walked Wilmer Flores before getting Kevin Plawecki on a called third strike to earn his first major-league save.