|
 Lester (10-10) pitched his first complete game for the Cubs, who
signed him to a six-year, $155 million contract as a free agent in
December, as he struck out nine and walked one.
"This is what he does," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He likes
pitching in big games in the latter part of the season. It's not a
surprise."
The Cubs (83-61) ended a three-game losing streak and got to within
four games of the Pirates, who lead the NL wild-card standings.
Left fielder Starling Marte's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning had
given the Pirates a 5-4 victory in the first game.
While Lester is excited to be pitching meaningful games in September
for a franchise that has not been to the post-season since 2008, he
is well aware that the Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908.
"When I signed here, I envisioned winning a World Series, not just
playing September baseball," Lester said. "Hopefully, we can get to
that point."
Catcher David Ross and third baseman Javier Baez had two hits each
for the Cubs in the second game.
Pirates left-hander J.A. Happ (5-2) saw his five-start winning
streak end as he allowed two runs and eight hits in 5-2/3 innings
while striking out eight and walking two.
The Cubs scored a run in the first inning as left fielder Austin
Jackson doubled and came home on first baseman Anthony Rizzo's
single.
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Ross doubled and scored on center fielder Dexter Fowler's double in
the second to increase the Cubs' lead to 2-0.
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez had two hits and scored the lone run
for the Pirates, when he came home on Morse's double-play grounder
in the seventh to get the Pirates within 2-1.
Lester, though, retired his final seven batters in a 111-pitch
effort.
"The thing that I loved was the maintenance of stuff," Maddon said.
"The fastball still had good carry in the last inning. He was
throwing 94 (mph) in the eighth. You could see by the hitters'
swings. They were not very comfortable."
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
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