CHICAGO (AP) – Cubs pitcher Jon Lester has thrown six hitless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lester, who hasn’t won since May 16, had thrown 74 pitches in a scoreless game Monday night. The left-hander also singled in the second for his first major league hit after 66 fruitless at-bats – plus five more in the World Series.
Lester pitched a no-hitter on May 19, 2008, with the Boston Red Sox.
He signed a $155 million, six-year contract with Chicago last offseason and entered Monday with a 4-6 record and 3.74 ERA.
Lester’s hit was a low liner that ricocheted off the leg of Cardinals right-hander John Lackey, a former teammate with the Red Sox. The ball caromed away toward shortstop, leaving the Cardinals with no play on an infield single that loaded the bases for Chicago.