Lester gives up 8 runs in shortest career start
Jon Lester was named National League Pitcher of the Month in June. Boy, how time flies.
The New York Mets absolutely shelled the Chicago Cubs left-hander at Citi Field on Sunday in his first start of July. Lester gave up eight runs on nine hits in just 1 1/3 innings - the shortest start of his 11-year career.
After he was given a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Lester gave it right back when Curtis Granderson smacked a home run in the bottom of the first. Then Lester came out for his second inning of work - to the delight of the Mets' hitters.
| Hitter | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmer Flores | HR | 2-1 NYM |
| James Loney | K | 2-1 NYM |
| Matt Reynolds | 2B | 2-1 NYM |
| Rene Rivera | 2-run HR | 4-1 NYM |
| Noah Syndergaard | BB | 4-1 NYM |
| Juan Lagares | 2B | 4-1 NYM |
| Curtis Granderson | RBI Single | 5-1 NYM |
| Yoenis Cespedes | RBI Single | 6-1 NYM |
| Neil Walker | RBI Single | 7-1 NYM |
| Wilmer Flores | RBI Single | 8-1 NYM |
Rene Rivera (3) 2-run Shot
— Every Mets Home-Run (@EveryMetsHR) July 3, 2016
Kudos to @whutyearisit with the clutch prediction earlier today pic.twitter.com/xniTlnRVge
Lester also threw a wild pitch before he was mercifully pulled in favor of Spencer Patton, and Mets fans gave him a sarcastic standing ovation. The Mets went on to beat the Cubs 14-2.
While the Cubs are MLB's best team, they're in grave danger of being swept out of Queens by the Mets, who've absolutely hammered their starters all weekend. In their last three games - started by Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta, and Lester - the collective ERA of Cubs' starters has risen from 2.54 to 2.88.