GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It didn't matter to Jon Lester, the Cubs' Opening Day starter, that he faced a National League Central rival on Monday. His goal was to throw 100 pitches or go seven innings, work on his fastball command and come out of the outing healthy, and the lefty did all that.
Lester tuned up for the season by striking out six over 6 2/3 innings in the Cubs' 5-4 victory over the Reds. Making his fourth spring start, Lester scattered nine hits and walked one. He has 15 strikeouts in 16 innings this spring.