Sep 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
CHICAGO — Jon Lester allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings and the Chicago Cubs set a franchise record for victories at Wrigley Field in a season as they beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 on Sunday.
Lester earned his league-leading 19th victory and retiring catcher David Ross homered as the National League Central champions went 57-24 at home this season.
Chicago won 56 games at the ballpark in 1933 and 1935.
The Cubs also reached 99 victories, which they last accomplished in 1935. They took two of three against the Cardinals, who trail the Mets and Giants in the NL wild-card standings.
Lester (19-4) struck out seven while lowering his ERA to 2.28, second lowest in the majors behind his teammate Kyle Hendricks (2.06), another candidate for the NL Cy Young Award. Lester hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a start since July 24 against the Brewers.
Lester exited with two on in the seventh. Carl Edwards Jr. struck out Randal Grichuk to stop the rally.
Aroldis Chapman earned his 16th save.
The Cardinals cut the lead to one on Jhonny Peralta’s RBI single in the eighth. Edwards issued a leadoff walk to Jose Martinez, who scored on Peralta’s hit. Brandon Moss flew out to leave the tying run at third.
Willson Contreras’ bases-loaded single in the bottom of the eighth scored an insurance run for the Cubs.
Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez (15-9) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings on a day he was mourning his friend, Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who died early Sunday in a boating accident. Martinez wrote “JF 16” on his cap and the mound. The Cubs paid tribute by displaying a white Fernandez jersey in their dugout, and Chicago players Jorge Soler and Contreras had his initials written on their hats.
The Cubs won the season series against St. Louis 10-9.
The Cubs went ahead 2-0 on back-to-back doubles by Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell in the sixth. Russell’s hit was reviewed after it was initially ruled foul when the ball struck the chalk on the left-field line. Martinez intentionally walked Ross to bring up Lester, who struck out.
Ross exited the game with two outs in the seventh to his fourth standing ovation of the night.
The Cardinals put two on in the sixth via a single and a fielder’s choice, but Matt Carpenter hit into a double play and Stephen Piscotty grounded out.
NOTES: Cardinals LF Jose Martinez got his first start in the majors Sunday against the Cubs. He batted eighth. He played in eight previous games. … SS Aledmys Diaz was out of the Cardinals’ starting lineup. He has been dealing with arm weakness after returning from a broken right thumb. Manager Mike Matheny said the team will allow him to leave to attend the funeral of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who died Sunday in a boating accident. … OF Kolten Wong remained out of the Cardinals’ lineup after face-planting trying to make a catch Friday. … The Cubs have scheduled LHP Rob Zastryzny (1-0, 1.46 ERA) to start Thursday as part of a bullpen day against the Pirates. Manager Joe Maddon said he wants to keep LHP Mike Montgomery (1-1, 3.03), who was previously used as a sixth starter, in the bullpen. … Maddon revealed the Cubs’ rotation for the final three games of the regular season in Cincinnati will be RHP Jason Hammel on Friday, LHP Jon Lester on Saturday and RHP Kyle Hendricks next Sunday.
