Jon Lester did something Tuesday he hadn’t done in 4 years

Much has been made throughout the year about Jon Lester’s inability to control base runners.

Lester would avoid throwing to a base whenever possible, and for good reason. For as dominant as he could be throwing home, he was just unable to throw a clean ball to any other base.

That all changed with one unusual play Tuesday night.

Outfielder Starling Marte had a huge lead at first base in the third inning. With Lester staring right at him, Marte took off for second. It’s hard to fault the Pirates star because odds are that Lester would screw it up.

However, an awkwardly developed play would turn into Lester’s first successful pickoff since 2011.

The play came in a game where Lester could almost do no wrong. He had true ace stuff Tuesday night, in a huge game for the Cubs, who had dropped the first game of the doubleheader.

Lester threw a complete game, allowing only five hits and one earned run. The Cubs would go on to win 2-1.