CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Using a 10-pitch fifth inning to help stabilizing a frightening pitch count, Cubs left-hander Jon Lester produced six shutout innings in his team's crucial 3-0 win against the Pirates on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.
"He was not sharp command-wise," manager Joe Maddon said. "He got through it and wanted to go out again, but I thought that was plenty right there. He battled. He showed his mettle tonight, and that is who he is. Starting 30 games 11 years in a row is pretty incredible. When you show up and post, it always matters. Jon always posts."
Most importantly, Lester's performance helped the Cubs inch closer to clinching the National League Central, as the victory gave Chicago a one-game lead over Milwaukee with three games remaining. The Cubs host the Cardinals for a three-game series starting Friday, while the Brewers host the Tigers.
Since signing a record-setting $155-million deal with Chicago in December 2014, Lester has displayed a big-game mentality that has helped the Cubs into winners. That's what he had again Thursday, scattering three hits and four walks while striking out three. David Bote's two-run triple in the second inning gave the Cubs a 2-0 and all the offense they would need.
"I threw two good pitches to start out the game and the next thing you know I was trying to pitch out of trouble," Lester said about having thrown 65 pitches in the first three innings. "Sometimes you have it. But you have anywhere from 32-34 starts a year. They all certainly are not going to be easy. There will be more like tonight's game, then the times you can just throw your hat and glove out there and pitch seven shutout innings. Sometimes when you can weave your way out of trouble like tonight is more rewarding to win than when you have your good stuff."
Lester is 6-1 with a 1.71 ERA in his past eight starts. His 39 starts of at least six innings with one or fewer runs allowed are tied with Astros right-hander Justin Verlander for the most in the big leagues since 2016.
As the Cubs look to win the NL Central this weekend, the Cardinals will be looking to secure the second wild-card spot, as they sit one game behind the Dodgers for that entry.
"It's all hands on deck for us," first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. "It's all hands on deck over there for them. Look where they have come from. They fired their manager and now are in contention for the second wild-card spot, that is an unbelievable thing. You cannot discredit what they have done. Hopefully, they run out of gas and we win tomorrow. Tomorrow is now our biggest game."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
