Jon Lester, Addison Russell Lead Cubs Past Brewers, 1-0
CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester pitched seven scoreless innings for his first victory with Chicago and Addison Russell hit his first career home run in the Cubs' 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.
Lester (1-2) allowed just three hits, struck out four and walked one in his best outing of the season. The left-hander received a standing ovation when he lifted in the top of the eighth inning.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon decided to go with reliever Pedro Strop to face switch-hitter Elian Herrera.
Strop pitched a perfect eighth inning and Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.
After a two-out double to Jason Rogers, Rondon retired pinch-hitter Adam Lind to end the game.
Lester, who signed a six-year $155 million contract in the offseason with the Cubs, retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced. It was his first win since Sept. 19, 2014, against Philadelphia.
Brewers starter Wily Peralta (0-4) allowed one run and eight hits. He struck out six and walked two in six innings.
The Brewers have lost 13 of their past 16 games.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning, Lester struck out Peralta to get out of a jam.
Leading off the third, Russell drove Peralta's 3-2 pitch into the unfinished left-center bleachers. Russell was acquired by the Cubs last season when the Cubs dealt Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for the highly touted prospect.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: Outfielder Carlos Gomez is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday. He's been out with a strained right hamstring since April 16. 2B Scooter Gennett begins a rehab assignment with Class A Wisconsin on Friday night. He's on the disabled list with a left hand laceration. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez missed the game with left hamstring tightness. He is day to day.
BASE-RUNNING WOES: In the first inning with no outs, Dexter Fowler was thrown out trying to go from first to third on Jorge Soler's single. Then the inning ended when Anthony Rizzo was caught stealing on Kris Bryant's strikeout. In the sixth, Starlin Castro tried to go first to third on a single, but he was thrown out by right fielder Ryan Braun.
UP NEXT
Brewers: Mike Fiers is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season on Saturday against the Cubs. He is 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA. He was 1-1 against the Cubs last season with a 2.25 ERA in two starts.
Cubs: Jake Arietta, who has been the most dependable starter for Cubs, will be making his fifth start Saturday. He is 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.