It was a blistering 92 degrees at Wrigley Field at first pitch, and the temperature and humidity only seemed to intensify as the game played on.

Even the heat and sloppy play couldn’t beat the Cubs on Friday — never mind the Padres.

It was a blistering 92 degrees at Wrigley Field at first pitch, and the temperature and humidity only seemed to intensify as the game played on.

“It was miserable,” pitcher Jon Lester said after the Cubs’ 6-5 win against the Padres.

As a result, both teams made their fair share of silly mistakes on defense. (více...)

Jon Lester allowed four runs over six frames Friday versus the Padres, taking a no-decision in the Cubs' 6-5 win.

Lester whiffed six batters and didn't walk anyone, but he also permitted a whopping 12 hits and needed 105 pitches to navigate through his six innings on a hot day in Chicago. It's the most hits he's given up in a start this season. Lester will go up against the red-hot Giants offense in San Francisco next week.

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Cubs notebook: Lester has gone 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA in his last five starts and is 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA at home.

Joe Maddon said he’s witnessing “another level” of Cubs ace Jon Lester.

After Lester threw his ninth quality start of the season and added a double, homer and three RBI to Saturday’s 10-4 win, Maddon said it’s the best version of Lester that he’s seen.

So how did Lester take the compliment?

“I feel old,” he said to laughs. “That’s obviously high praise. … I’ve felt a lot better about my stuff and where I’ve been at. Hopefully I can continue to ride that momentum as we go forward in the second half and pitch well down the stretch. (více...)

Jon Lester homered, tied a career high with three RBIs and pitched effectively into the seventh inning to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-4 on Saturday. (více...)

Jon Lester yielded three earned runs over 6 2/3 innings Saturday in a win over the Pirates.

Lester gave up runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh, but the Cubs backed him with 10 runs of their own in a blowout victory at Wrigley Field. It was the ninth win of the season for Lester, who's sporting a 3.74 ERA and 99/23 K/BB ratio through 101 innings. He'll get the Padres at home next time out.

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