Cubs waste quality start by Lester, get shut out by Tribe
Chicago Cubs hurler Jon Lester received no run support in a losing effort against the Cleveland Indians. (Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

Cubs waste quality start by Lester, get shut out by Tribe


by - Senior Writer -

CHICAGO — For the second straight game, the Cleveland Indians (24-23) shut down the Chicago Cubs (25-21), blanking them on Wednesday night for a 1-0 shutout win. After losing 10-1 in the opener of the two-game set at home against the Tribe, the Cubs failed to respond, suffering from yet another lackluster outing at the dish.

With only three hits, the Cubs were unable to muster any legitimate offense against a Cleveland pitching unit that featured starter Adam Plutko and relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Chicago wasted a solid effort from lefty starter Jon Lester, who pitched seven innings, in which he gave up just one run on six hits and one walk.

The Indians' Rajai Davis scored the lone run of the contest after leading off with a single in the in the third inning. Later in the inning, Davis scored from third base on a sacrifice fly from Michael Brantley, providing Cleveland with the winning run. Lester received the loss to fall to 4-2 on the year.

The Cubs gained momentum early, with left fielder Kyle Schwarber throwing out Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, who attempted to stretch a single into a double in the first frame.

In the next inning, the Cubs drew three walks to load the bases against Plutko, but Lester grounded out to end the inning.

Plutko, who was just called back up to the majors earlier in the week, improved to 2-0 with the win, while Miller collected his fifth hold, and Allen notched his seventh save. The Indians wasted several scoring chances, converting their nine hits into only one run, but the dominance of Miller and Allen in the final three innings proved to be too much for the Cubs to overcome.

The 1-0 loss provided the Indians with the season series victory over the Cubs for the 2018 slate, as they took three of four against the North Siders in the four scheduled games between the two.

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