Reds held in check by Lester during loss

CHICAGO — The postseason is two weeks away, and even though the National League Central-champion Cubs are waiting for other teams to get in, pitcher Jon Lester’s foot is nowhere close to lifting off the gas. Not only did Lester pitch seven robust innings, he provided the game’s first run with a rocket of an RBI double in a 6-1 victory over the Reds on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

Now 18-4 with a 2.36 ERA, Lester is 9-0 with a 1.46 ERA over his last 12 starts after he allowed one run, six hits, no walks, one hit batter and struck out five. According to MLB Network research, that makes him the third Cubs left-handed pitcher to win nine consecutive decisions, joining him with Jack Pfiester (10 in 1908-09) and Ken Holtzman (nine in 1967).

With the Nationals losing to Miami, the 96-55 Cubs’ magic number to clinch the top seed in the NL postseason dropped to three. They could end the evening assured of home-field advantage in the NL Division Series if the Dodgers lose to the Giants on Tuesday.

In a game where all relievers pitched for the Reds, Josh Smith started and allowed one earned run and three hits over three innings while throwing 66 pitches. 

Once …

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