Lester, Cubs hold Mets to three hits in 2-0 win

[June 04, 2018]  Jon Lester carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning Sunday afternoon and earned the win by allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings as the Chicago Cubs completed a four-game sweep of the New York Mets with a 2-0 win at Citi Field.

The Cubs have won eight of 10. The Mets have lost 11 of 14 and 29 of 45 since an 11-1 start.

Lester (6-2) walked three and struck out seven. After walking the Mets' first two batters in the first inning, Brandon Nimmo and Jose Bautista, he retired 14 straight before Amed Rosario reached on a two-out error in the fifth by shortstop Addison Russell.

The Mets mounted their only threat in the sixth when Bautista was hit by a pitch with one out, Kevin Plawecki broke up the no-hitter with a two-out single off the glove of Javier Baez, who had moved to shortstop, and Michael Conforto walked. But Lester ended the inning by retiring Adrian Gonzalez on a grounder to first.

The Cubs rewarded Lester in the top of the seventh by scoring their runs in unique fashion. Baez led off the inning with a single and went to third on a single by Willson Contreras. When Mets starter Steven Matz made a casual pickoff throw to first, Baez broke for home and scored easily with what was scored a stolen base.

Contreras stole second on the same play, went to third on Kyle Schwarber's single and scored on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice fly to second baseman Luis Guillorme, whose back was to the infield as he made the catch in shallow right field.

Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Randy Rosario and Steve Cishek combined to toss a hitless eighth and Brian Duensing earned his third career save, and his first since 2015, during a one-hit ninth.

Russell left in the sixth inning due to a bruised left middle finger.

Amed Rosario (seventh inning) and Conforto (ninth inning) singled for the Mets' other hits.

Matz (2-4) allowed the two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings.

-- Field Level Media

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