Lester's poor outing ends Cubs rotation's historic streak

Jon Lester's rough day at the office spelled the end of a dominant stretch of starting pitching for the Chicago Cubs.

The left-hander departed Saturday's 5-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants after just 2 2/3 innings pitched, which ended the Cubs' streak of 40 consecutive starts with at least five innings to open a season. They're the seventh team since 1900 to open a season with at least 40 straight five-inning outings from their starting pitchers.

The streak actually dated back to last September, giving them 48 consecutive five-inning starts from their pitchers for the longest streak in franchise history since 1910.

Lester, who gave up all five Giants runs on six hits and three walks and departed after surrendering a two-run double to pitcher Matt Cain, saw his outing as a blip on the radar for what's been the majors' best rotation to date.

"Our rotation's been pretty solid," Lester told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. "We've been doing what we're supposed to do, keeping our team in the ballgame and putting up innings, with the exception of today. It's been fun to be a part of."

The Cubs are still baseball's best team, but they're scuffling at the moment, as Saturday's loss dropped them to 4-6 over their last 10 contests.