How the game was won: Jon Lester dominated a cold Atlanta offense and nearly threw his second no-hitter before A.J. Pierzynski got a broken-bat single in the eighth. Lester still got his fifth win of the year, allowing no runs, two hits, one walk and seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings.
The Cubs scored their first run in the third inning. Kris Bryant got a two-out single off Manny Banuelos and advanced to third on an errant pick-off attempt. He then scored on Anthony Rizzo’s single.
Banuelos got chased in the fifth inning when he allowed another run and walked Chris Denorfia to load the bases with two outs. His final line: 4 2/3 innings, six hits, two runs (one earned), three walks and four strikeouts.
Number: 51. When Jason Frasor entered the game in the top of the fifth, he became the 51st player the Braves have used this year — a franchise record. Coincidentally, Frasor wears the No. 51.
What's next: The Braves host the Cubs in the rubber match of this three-game series. Shelby Miller (5-5, 2.38 ERA) looks to get his first win since May 17. He'll start opposite Chicago's Jake Arrieta (10-5, 2.66 ERA).
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