The summary
Jon Lester won his fourth straight outing with seven strong innings to defeat Pirates ace Gerrit Cole 4-1 before the largest crowd at Wrigley Field this season: 38,883. The Cubs’ victory was their sixth in a row.
On the mound
For the first time in his career Lester allowed at least nine hits, but he gave up only one run. The Cubs are 16-2 when their starter has a quality outing.
At the plate
Anthony Rizzo has a nine-game hitting streak, one shy of his career high from July 11-24 last season.
In the field
Second baseman Addison Russell made an acrobatic catch of Neil Walker’s soft liner in the sixth inning.
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The number
1,500 — Lester’s career strikeouts after he caught Sean Rodriguez looking in the fourth inning. Lester struck out four more Pirates and finished the day with seven.
The quote
“The atmosphere has always been great here, even before the (left-field) bleachers opened up. These fans are into it, they want us to win and they show up every day.” — Lester on support at Wrigley Field
Up next
Vs. Pirates, 1:20 p.m., Sunday; WGN-9.