Jon Lester fired eight shutout innings as the Cubs blanked the Cardinals 7-0 at Busch Stadium. Lester struck out eight while allowing three hits and a walk en route to his 17th win of the season. David Ross hit a two-run homer and Anthony Rizzo went deep twice for Chicago, which took two-of-three in the series. Carlos Martinez struck out nine, but surrendered four runs in six frames to fall to 14-and-8 with the loss.
Stephen Piscotty, Yadier Molina and Randall Grichuk had hits for St. Louis. The Cubs' magic number to clinch the NL Central is now one.
The Cubs are at home tonight against Milwaukee.