Cubs' Offense Strong in Sweep of Twins, Cardinals Drop Loss to Braves

CHICAGO -- To say the Chicago Cubs offense got healthy in their three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins is making an understatement.

The Cubs scored at least 10 runs in all three games against thre Twins and who proved to be the big hitter of the game? None other than pitcher Jon  Lester.

Lester nailed a three-run homer in the second inning as the Cubs tallied an 11-10 victory Sunday. Not only that but he improved his pitching record on the mound to 7-0 in his last seven starts.

He had a rough start as Jake Cave hit a home run in the second and had an RBI double in the fifth. Lester threw a nine-hitter.

Saturday, the Cubs had a season-high 20 hits in a 14-9 win, mostly singles. On Sunday, they had five extra base hits. Ian Happ had two singles and a solo homer while Anthony Rizzo had a double and an RBI, Javier Baez a single, two doubles and two RBI, Kyle Schwarber a single, double and an RBI, Willson Contreras three singles and an RBI and Addison Russell a single and an RBI.

Braves 6, Cardinals 5

After a four-game winning streak, the Cardinals again went on the skids, dropping a 6-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves Sunday and matching their longest losing streak this summer with four straight.

The Cardinals spent their series against the Braves trying to catch up. The Braves' pitching staff held the Cardinals to seven hits during 17 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Braves had a five-run sixth as Freddie Freeman nailed a two-run homer off John Gant.

The Cardinals had a five-run seventh. Tommy Pham ended his 0-for-31 hitless streak with a single and then nailed a three-run homer later in the game.

Sunday, July 1 Scoreboard

Chicago Cubs 11, Minnesota 10

Atlanta 6, St. Louis 5

Chicago White Sox 10, Texas 5

Baltimore 8, Los Angeles Angels 2

Cincinnati 8, Milwaukee 2

Detroit 9, Toronto 1

New York Mets 5, Miami 2

Tampa Bay 3, Houston 2

Philadelphia 4, Washington 3 (F/13)

Cleveland 15, Oakland 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 6, Colorado 4

Seattle 1, Kansas City 0

Pittsburgh 7, San Diego 5

New York Yankees 11, Boston 1

San Francisco 9, Arizona 6

Monday, July 2 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Toronto, 12:07 p.m.

Boston at Washington, 6 p.m.

Atlanta at New York Yankees, 6:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at  Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Miami, 6:10 pm..

Minnesota at Milwaukee, 7;10 p.m.

Cleveland at Kansas City, &;15 p.m.

San Francisco at Colorado, 7:40 p.m.

St. Louis at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.

PIttsburgh at Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:10 p.m.