CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The outstanding starting pitching for the Chicago Cubs continued on Thursday when ace Jon Lester came off of the injured list.
The 35-year-old left-hander Lester was excellent, throwing five innings and allowing only one earned run in Thursday's return to the mound. Lester struck out four without allowing a walk. The Cubs bats couldn't pull through in a 2-1 loss to the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.
"I felt fine," Lester said. "I felt normal. I am tired of being in the clubhouse not doing anything."
Lester was sidelined 17 days with a strained left hamstring. The Cubs' starting pitchers have a 1.80 ERA in their last 12 starts. Lester certainly kept that trend going on Thursday.
Cubs pitchers have been the backbone of the recent surge that had them winning 10 of their last 14 games. Lester kept that momentum going using a full array of off-speed pitches.
The Dodgers hitters were off balance managing just two hits through the first four innings. An error by Javier Baez that allowed the run to score was the only blemish for the Cubs and Lester in his appearance.
"Jon looked really good," manager Joe Maddon said. "That is especially true because of the extended time he had missed. When he got to that 80-pitch mark, you could see that was about it. The velocity was there. The finish on the pitches was there. the off-speed stuff was good."
The Cubs were going for the sweep against Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling, who came out after 4 2/3 innings without giving up a run. They settled for a 4-2 homestand.
Pitching, always a key for winning, was dominant early in this game. Lester was held to 79 pitches due to the hamstring injury. He was ready to go more.
"I felt fine," Lester said. "That is not something you can argue with. My spot was coming up to hit in a 1-0 game."
The Cubs' rotation is unique given that other than Yu Darvish, the four other starters are not considered power pitchers. But this group is thriving because the starters are making pitches.
"Yes, I think you saw that the last three games," Lester said. "We had three different lefties lining up against a pretty good team. We all kind of approached it differently all three days. I don't think the hitters could really get a sense of what we were trying to do. We all give them a slightly different look every night."
The Cubs now have the luxury of six starting pitchers being available. Tyler Chatwood has slid into the swingman role, bouncing up and back between the pen and rotation.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
