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 "I just plod along, that's what I've always done," he said. "I don't
look at it as if I'm due or anything like that, it's just stick with
the routine and stick with what I know."
The Cubs left-hander allowed three hits, walked one and struck out
four through seven shutout innings as the Cubs beat the Milwaukee
Brewers 1-0 in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
But it was hard for Lester (1-2) to brush off the significance of
his first win in a Chicago uniform, especially after struggling in
some of his earlier four starts.
"This is a big day for me personally," he said. "You get that first
W, obviously would have liked to have it happen a little while ago,
but that's not the case. We'll celebrate this, have some fun with
it, but tomorrow (it's) back to work and look forward to the next
one."
The free agent signee struggled to start the season but was
increasingly effective in recent outings, including 10 strikeouts
and a quality start his last time out despite a no-decision in
Chicago's 7-3 win over Cincinnati on April 24.
Cubs right-hander Hector Rondon struck out two in a scoreless ninth
for his fifth save.
"(Lester) just keeps getting better," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
"The fastball was really good, the cutter got better game in
progress, the change up was there when he wanted it and the big old
hook was there a couple of times, too."
The Cubs' lone run came from rookie second baseman Addison Russell,
who clubbed his first major league home run in the third inning.
Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta (0-4) had his most effective
outing and fewest runs allowed to date but still suffered a loss in
his fourth consecutive start.
"You look at his outing today and he gives up one run and it's a
real nice job, but he's working way too hard to get to that,"
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "When he's on his game, the pitch
count is going to be way low and we'll be able to get him into the
seventh, eighth (innings) and once in a while he goes nine."
The Cubs (13-8) claimed their fifth win in six games and the Brewers
(5-18) lost for the fifth time in their last seven.
Milwaukee threatened early and loaded the bases with two outs in the
second but came up empty as Peralta struck out to end the inning.
Russell gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead with none out in the third with his
first big league homer. He launched Peralta's 3-2 pitch into the
empty left field bleachers as the ball landed five rows into
still-under-construction seating.
"It feels good and it was made it even more special because it was
here at Wrigley," Russell said. "The fans jumping up, just hearing
the crowd roar was an awesome feeling."
[to top of second column] |
The last time a Cubs player's first career home run was also the
lone run in a game was nearly 81 years ago when Phil Cavarretta
homered in a 1-0 win over the Reds at Wrigley Field on Sept. 25,
1934.
Maddon was concerned about a one-run lead being enough.
"When he hit it, I'm asking myself is that going to hold up?" Maddon
said. "That pitcher (Peralta) had really good stuff, they were
really stingy and made really good plays on defense against our base
running."
The Cubs went on to load the bases with one out, but shortstop
Starlin Castro grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Peralta threw 118 pitches in a six-inning outing. He allowed one
run, eight hits and two walks and struck out six.
Castro and right fielder Jorge Soler led the Cubs with two hits
apiece.
Center fielder Gerardo Parra and first baseman Jason Rogers each had
two hits for the Brewers.
NOTES: Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred got his first look at the
progress of Wrigley Field renovations during a Friday visit. "It's
interesting to see how far it's come," he said. "It looks like it's
going to be absolutely fantastic." ... Brewers 2B Scooter Gennett,
on the 15-day disabled list with a lacerated left hand, was
scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Friday at Class A
Wisconsin. ... The Brewers are 0-7 in series play this season and
have spent 19 days in last place. ... Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez was
a late scratch on Friday with left hamstring tightness. ...
Milwaukee sends RHP Mike Fiers (0-3, 5.79 ERA) against Chicago RHP
Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.03 ERA) in Saturday's middle game. ... The Cubs
went 12-8 for their first winning April since going 17-10 in
March/April 2008. It's the most April wins since a 12-14 record in
2011. ... Chicago RHP Jason Hammel, set to start in Sunday's series
finale, has struck out 23 batters in 25 1/3 innings and has issued
just one walk. ... The Cubs entered Friday atop the National League
and second in the big leagues with 25 steals. Houston leads with 29.
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