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SPORTS Wednesday 29 august 2018

Lester helps Cubs

beat Mets 7-4

for 6th straight win

By The Associated Press 7) gave up two runs and
CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester five hits, striking out five. He
pitched six innings, drove in rebounded from a rough
two runs with a timely single start against Philadelphia
off Noah Syndergaard and last week in his return from
made two nice plays in the the disabled list. The Phil-
field to help Chicago beat lies fell 3 1/2 games behind
New York Mets for its sixth first-place Atlanta in the NL
consecutive victory. East after losing the opener
Anthony Rizzo hom- for the seventh straight se-
ered and Daniel Murphy ries. They're 6-12 since Aug.
reached three more times 8 and have dropped five
from the leadoff spot as the games in the standings dur-
NL-leading Cubs moved a ing that span. Zach Eflin (9-
season-high 24 games over 5) allowed five runs — three
.500 by improving to 5-0 earned — and eight hits in
against the Mets this year. 5 1/3 innings. His throwing
Murphy, who began his ca- error in the fourth cost him.
reer with the Mets, is batting Rhys Hoskins hit his 27th
.407 (11 for 27) in six games homer for Philadelphia.
since he was acquired in a Justin Miller tossed a per-
trade with Washington. fect ninth for his first save.
Lester was in line for his 15th GIANTS 2, DIAMONDBACKS
win before Kevin Plawecki 0
hit a solo homer off Steve SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —
Cishek (4-1) in the seventh, Chris Stratton threw a ca-
tying it at 4 on a warm and reer-high eight innings to
windy night at Wrigley Field. outpitch Patrick Corbin,
But the Cubs went ahead and Steven Duggar hit an
to stay with two runs in the early two-run homer as San
bottom half, including Ben Francisco blanked Arizona.
Zobrist's tiebreaking double The Diamondbacks re-
off Jerry Blevins (1-2). mained a game up in the
New York loaded the bases NL West over Colorado
in the ninth before Jesse when the Rockies lost to
Chavez struck out Amed the Angels.
Rosario and Austin Jackson Stratton (9-7) permitted
for his third save of the sea- five hits, struck out six and
son, helping the Cubs (77- allowed only two runners
53) increase their NL Cen- past first base. He walked Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against
tral lead to 4 1/2 games none and retired 17 of his fi- the New York Mets on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, in Chicago. Associated Press
over idle St. Louis. nal 18 batters to win for the
Michael Conforto hit a first time since June 17.
tape-measure homer for Tony Watson set down two
New York. Syndergaard al- hitters and Hunter Strick-
lowed four runs and nine land got one out for his
hits in six innings. 14th save, completing the
NATIONALS 5, PHILLIES 3 five-hitter.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ste- Corbin (10-5) had nine
phen Strasburg threw six strikeouts and one walk in
effective innings, Matt Wi- seven innings while absorb-
eters hit a solo homer and ing his first loss in six starts
Washington defeated against the Giants this sea-
Philadelphia. Strasburg (7- son. He gave up four hits.q