WATCH: Jon Lester fakes like he is going to bunt, hits base knock instead

Jon Lester's switcheroo at the plate paid off, as a feigned sacrifice bunt turned into a single.

Cole Little · Senior Writer · Monday, June 24 2019

CHICAGO — Reaching into his bag of tricks, wily Chicago Cubs starting pitcher pulled out a switcheroo during a plate appearance on Monday night. Helping spark a 5-run fifth inning put together by the Cubs against the Atlanta Braves, Lester feigned a sacrifice bunt and turned the fakeout into a base knock.

With a runner on first base and no outs, Lester seemed poised to lay down the sacrifice when he assuredly shocked Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran by yanking his bat back and driving a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Lester scored on an RBI single hit by Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant soon afterward, as the Cubs plated five runs in the bottom of the fifth and went up 7-0 on the Braves.