CHICAGO, IL (Sports Network) - Recent times haven't been friendly for the Red Sox, but Jon Lester snapped his four-start winless streak and a two-run homer from Jarrod Saltalamacchia helped Boston edge the Chicago Cubs, 4-3, in the middle installment of a three-game interleague series at Wrigley Field.
Lester (4-4) held the Cubs scoreless through the opening six frames on five hits before the home team touched him up for three runs in the seventh. In all, the southpaw fanned eight while scattering seven hits and walking one in 6 2/3 innings.
Sitting a season-high three games over .500 (28-25) on June 2, the Red Sox mustered just their fourth win in 12 tries since.
Luis Valbuena smacked a three-run shot while Jeff Samardzija (5-5) struck out six and surrendered three runs on four hits and three walks for the Cubs, who have dropped three of their last four.
The Sports Network