Lester’s latest fielding failure doesn’t hamper Cubs against Braves

7:47 PM ET

CHICAGO — Matt Szczur smacked his first career grand slam to highlight a five-run eighth inning and the Chicago Cubs maintained their torrid start with a 6-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have the best record in the major leagues at 17-5 and their start is the franchise’s best since 1907.

But nearly all of that was overshadowed by another comic/tragic example of starter Jon Lester’s mental block of making a simple throw to first base during a crucial point in the seventh inning.

The good news: Lester, who allowed just one run on seven hits while striking out 10 in seven innings, was able to work out of the bases-loaded jam of his own making.

The bad news: He may not be so fortunate in a similar situation later in the year when there’s less of a margin for error and one mistake can end the team’s dream.

Here was the situation on Friday: After Jeff Francoeur opened the seventh with a single, Tyler Flowers walked to put runners on first and second. The next batter, Erick Aybar, attempted to sacrifice but pushed a horrible bunt right back to the mound.

Lester had plenty of time to make a play. He could have gone to third base to attempt to get the lead runner or he could simply take the free out and throw to first base. He turned toward first, but never took the ball out of his …

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