SEATTLE (AP) — Jon Lester was nearly flawless, even when he didn’t need to be thanks to an early outburst from Javier Báez and the Chicago Cubs’ offense.
Lester and two relievers combined on a one-hitter, Báez homered and doubled during Chicago’s six-run second inning, and the Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 11-0 on Wednesday for their 13th win in 17 games.
The Cubs handed Seattle starter Marco Gonzales his first loss of the season, thanks to the big second inning when 12 batters came to the plate.
Gonzales (5-1) failed to make it out of the inning after giving up five hits and walking two.
Báez led off the second with a homer to deep right-center field — his 10th of the season — and later added an RBI double just inside third base.
Jason Heyward also had an RBI single, and both of Gonzales’ walks came with the bases loaded.