Cardinals 6, Cubs 0
CHICAGO -- Catcher Yadier Molina's seventh-inning sacrifice fly produced the game's first run, and right-hander John Lackey worked seven shutout innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 Monday.
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (4-7) saw his bid for a no-hitter vanish in the seventh, and he took the loss, his fifth since May 27. Lester hasn't won since a 4-1 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 16.
Lackey (7-5) improved to 3-1 all-time against the Cubs as he allowed six hits, walked one and struck out four.
The Cubs (44-37) saw a two-game winning streak end, and they fell to 2-8 this season against the National League Central-leading Cardinals (54-28).
Lester issued a first-inning walk, then retired 18 consecutive batters until the Cardinals scored both runs in the seventh.
St. Louis shortstop Jhonny Peralta reached on an infield single and moved to third as right fielder Jason Heyward's fielder's choice grounder was botched on a throw by Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.
Peralta came home with the game's first run as Molina sent a fly ball to right.
Second baseman Kolten Wong followed with a single to left, driving in Heyward for a 2-0 lead.
In the previous inning, newly crowned All-Stars Anthony Rizzo and Bryant helped mount a Cubs threat.
Rizzo, the first baseman, lined a leadoff single to center, and Bryant, Chicago's third baseman, sent him to third with a base hit to left.
Shortstop Starlin Castro came to the plate with one out, but scoring hopes fizzled when he grounded into an inning-ending double-play.
Lester departed after seven innings and 95 pitches. He allowed two runs and two hits, struck out eight and walked two.
Storms arrived in the eighth inning, forcing a 1-hour, 16-minute rain delay.
When the game resumed, the Cardinals promptly loaded the bases on Cubs right-handed reliever Edwin Jackson in the top of the ninth.
First baseman Mark Reynolds' sacrifice fly to right scored Peralta from third for a 3-0 lead. Left fielder Randal Grichuk added a two-out, two-run single, and center fielder Peter Bourjos' RBI single capped the scoring.
Chicago loaded the bases in the second, including a two-out infield single by Lester for his first major league hit after going 0-for-66. However, the Cubs failed to score when Lackey struck out second baseman Addison Russell looking on a 1-2 count.
NOTES: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo and 3B Kris Bryant were named All-Star reserves. ... Three Cardinals also were added as All-Star reserves: RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Trevor Rosenthal and C Yadier Molina. SS Jhonny Peralta and OF Matt Holliday were voted NL starters. ... Monday's starters, St. Louis RHP John Lackey and Chicago LHP Jon Lester, were Boston Red Sox teammates from 2010 to 2014, and they earned seven of the team's 11 postseason wins in 2013. ... Chicago manager Joe Maddon temporarily moved CF Dexter Fowler out of the leadoff spot to seventh "to take some heat off him and work on what he needs to work on." However, Fowler is expected to lead off again Tuesday. ... Tuesday's scheduled day-night doubleheader includes a makeup of an April 7 rainout. Cardinals LHP Tyler Lyons (2-0) will oppose Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (8-5) in the opener, while St. Louis LHP Tim Cooney (0-0) will go against Chicago RHP Dallas Beeler (0-2) in the nightcap.