Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/11/20): Cubs 7, Cleveland 1 – Cubs Roll Behind Lester’s Strong Start

After their weekend series in St. Louis was postponed due to the Cardinals’ COVID-19 outbreak, the Cubs headed to Progressive Field in Cleveland for the first of two games against their 2016 World Series foes. Jon Lester showed no rust after waiting a few extra days to make his start, allowing only one earned run in six innings. Jason Heyward provided the game’s big blow with a three-run blast in a five-run 6th inning. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Won

The Cubs’ pitching was solid behind the quality start from Lester, while the offense received strong production from the lower half of the batting order.

Key Moments

Cleveland had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the 4th inning after a one-out double by Carlos Santana and a free pass issued to Franmil Reyes. Lester retired Jordan Luplow on a fly ball to right field and Domingo Santana on a ground ball to third base, ending the threat.

After Kyle Schwarber was hit by a pitch to load the bases in the 6th inning, the Cubs got an opportunity to pad their tenuous one-run lead. Heyward came to the plate with two outs following a sacrifice fly by Willson Contreras and RBI single by Ian Happ and smacked a line drive over the right field wall to give the Cubs a 6-1 advantage.

Stats that Matter

• Cubs pitching retired the leadoff batter in all nine innings.
• Lester had a quality start, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
• Four of the Cubs’ seven runs were driven in with two outs.
• Heyward had a great night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and the three-run dinger.

Bottom Line

The Northsiders earned their 11th win of the season and are 8-2 over their last 10 games thanks to their strong starting pitching. The Cubs’ rotation was second in quality starts (9) behind the Cleveland franchise (15) heading into Monday’s action.

On Deck

The Cubs will close out their road trip on Tuesday with one last game at Progressive Field before heading back to Chicago for a 10-game homestand. Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 3.54 ERA) is set to take the ball against Carlos Carrasco (2-1, 2.50 ERA) at 6:10pm CT. You can listen on 670 The Score or watch on Marquee Sports Network.