Cubs' Lester, 3 relievers shut down Pirates 1-0

[August 17, 2018]  Left-hander Jon Lester was nearly flawless over six innings and Ian Happ hit a solo homer Thursday as the Chicago Cubs slipped past the host Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0.

Lester combined with relievers Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop for a six-hit shutout.

Chicago, in first place in the National League Central, improved to a season-high 20 games over .500 at 70-50.

Pittsburgh lost its fourth straight to fall back to .500, 61-61, and to 10 games behind the Cubs in the division. It was the Pirates' first of 16 games in a row against teams ahead of them in the playoff chase.

It was a pitchers' duel between starters Lester and Pittsburgh right-hander Ivan Nova.

Lester (13-5) had lost his luster after the All-Star break, entering Thursday 0-3 with a 10.32 ERA in five starts since the Midsummer Classic. He regained his All-Star form against the Pirates: All five hits he allowed were singles, and he struck out eight while walking none.

Strop pitched the ninth for his 10th save.

Nova (7-7) gave up one run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and no walks. He has been charged with 13 earned runs in his past seven home starts, a total of 40 innings.

Pirates reliever Richard Rodriguez gave his team a chance, stranding an inherited runner and striking out four in 1 1/3 perfect innings, but Pittsburgh could not break through for any run support.

Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Felipe Vazquez gave up the game's only walk in the ninth but otherwise handled the Cubs.

With one out in the fourth, Happ -- who grew up in a Pittsburgh suburb -- launched the ball into the stands in right-center for his 13th homer and a 1-0 Chicago lead. It was the Cubs' only extra-base hit.

The Pirates' best scoring chance came in the fifth. Josh Harrison hit a two-out single and moved to third on Adeiny Hechavarria's single. Nova, who entered the at-bat 1-for-44 with no RBIs this season, struck out to end the threat.

--Field Level Media

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