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Kiss it good Baez! Cubs win 1-0 duel
- Updated: October 8, 2016
CHICAGO — Javier Baez, inserted in the Cubs’ lineup for his defense, provided the offensive spark on Friday night. Baez launched a full-count fastball from Johnny Cueto into the left-field bleachers in the eighth inning to lead the Cubs to a 1-0 victory over the Giants in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field.
Cueto had followed Madison Bumgarner’s example, and held the Cubs to two hits over 7 1/3 innings before Baez connected. On Wednesday, Bumgarner shut down the Mets in the NL Wild Card Game, and the Giants arrived riding momentum from that win.
However, Jon Lester was ready. The lefty, making his fourth straight trip to the playoffs, served up a leadoff single in the first three innings but kept the Giants at bay. He departed after giving up five hits over eight innings, striking out five. Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for the Cubs.
Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 7 CHC 1, SF 0 FS1 Gm 2 Oct. 8 8 p.m. SF @ CHC MLBN Gm 3 Oct. 10 9:30 p.m. CHC @ SF FS1 *Gm 4 Oct. 11 8 or 8:30 p.m. CHC @ SF FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 13 8 or 8:30 p.m. SF @ CHC FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Giants • Complete Postseason coverage
“That was a fun game to be a part of,” Lester said. “Obviously really happy to be on this side of it, but, you know, you got to tip your hat to the other guy, it was a great game all the way around. Great defense, we had to some good at-bats there in the middle of the game. Cueto just kept making pitches, and I had to keep making pitches with him.”
When the Cubs and Giants last met in September, all four games were decided by one run. Friday was no exception. Cueto, gyrating on the mound with his assortment of deliveries, retired the first 10 batters before Kris Bryant doubled with one out in the fourth. Cueto got solid support from center fielder Gorkys Hernandez and second baseman Kelby …
