Marlins
said. “I just got a good pitch I was able to handle.”
Realmuto followed his home run in the top of the second inning with a tremendous defensive play when he fielded a bunt by Albert Almora Jr., spun around and threw quickly on target to first base as the Cubs went down in order.
But the lead didn’t last much longer.
The Cubs (38-36) scored two runs in the fourth to end another short start by Justin Nicolino and then tacked on two more in the sixth against Nick Wittgren.
Lester did not allow another run and only two more hits after the first inning of a seven-inning start.
“It’s a roller-coaster ride all season, but I think we’ll get it going again,” Realmuto said. “I think we’re swinging at some pitches we shouldn’t be right now. We just have to get back locked in and not try to do too much at the plate.”
Nicolino, who made his second start since returning from the disabled list with a left index finger contusion, was removed after four innings in which he gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and struck out four without a walk.
He has pitched past the fourth inning just once in five starts this season.
His short outing forced manager Don Mattingly to turn to the bullpen early.
Wittgren started things well with a perfect fifth inning, but things unraveled quickly in the sixth.
Wittgren gave up three consecutive hits, including a pair of doubles that gave the Cubs a 5-3 lead. Addison Russell led off the inning with a double, Javier Baez followed with a single. Ian Happ then hit a ball that sailed past Stanton to the wall in right field to score both runners.
The poor outing was Wittgren’s worst of the season as he matched season highs in runs and hits allowed. Wittgren had given up multiple runs only once in 25 previous relief appearances.
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after former University of Miami standout Jon Jay singled and eventually came around to score on a single by Willson Contreras.
Almora helped the Cubs tie it at 3 in the fourth inning with an RBI double.