MESA, Ariz. (AP) – Jon Lester struck out 10 in five innings and hit a two-run home run to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 10-0 win over a Colorado Rockies split squad on Wednesday.
Lester allowed only one hit and one walk to go along with the 10 strikeouts, which included striking out the side in the third and fourth innings.
“We got some good work in today,” he said. “The cutter was good, which is good because it means I am staying on my line.”
His homer off Scott Oberg highlighted a seven-run fourth inning in which the Cubs hammered out two doubles, both by David Ross, and Lester and Kyle Schwarber went back to back.
Rockies starter David Hale went 2 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits, three runs – one earned – walked one and struck out two.