导出博客文章CHICAGO -- David Ross got fired up when Cubs manager Joe Maddon walked to the
mound with two out in the seventh inning, ready to argue for Jon Lester to stay
in the game.Maddon and Lester had a different plan.Joe looked at him and said
`Have you ever been a part of where the catcher gets taken out of the game
before the pitcher? Lester said, describing the scene with a big grin. You can
just see him, its like the kid at the candy store when you tell him he can pick
out whatever he wants.It was just like the disbelief in his face and slams his
mask back over his face and all he can say is `I love you guys. I love you guys.
I love you guys.Ross then walked off to another standing ovation from a raucous
crowd of 40,859 at Wrigley Field, part of a heartwarming Sunday night for the
backup catcher in his last season. He also hit his 10th homer and teamed with
Lester for another scoreless performance, helping the Cubs to a 3-1 victory over
the St. Louis Cardinals.It was an amazing night, Ross said.Ben Zobrist had three
hits and scored two runs as Chicago finished with a major league-best 57-24 home
record. Its the most home wins for the Cubs since they went 58-19 at the West
Side Grounds in 1910.The Cardinals lost for the third time in four games,
wasting a chance to improve their playoff positioning. They remain a half-game
back of San Francisco for the second NL wild card after the Giants lost 4-3 at
San Diego earlier in the day.I think were in a good position right now, pitcher
Carlos Martinez said through a translator. I also think we have a great shot at
winning the World Series.Ross, Lesters regular catcher, was greeted with a long
standing ovation when he came to the plate in the second inning. St. Louis
catcher Yadier Molina walked halfway to the mound, forcing the unassuming Ross
to take in the moment, and he took off his batting helmet to acknowledge the
cheering crowd.Ross then struck out, but he got another chance in the fifth and
drove Martinezs second pitch over the wall in left for 1-0 lead. Ross clapped
his hands as he rounded first on his 10th homer and the cheers continued after
he reached the dugout, prompting a curtain call.It was just fitting that David
would hit a home run, isnt it? Maddon said. I mean it had to have happened
tonight.Lester (19-4), one of the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award,
struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander allowed three hits and walked
one while improving to 10-0 with 1.34 ERA in his last 13 starts.It was Lesters
idea to pull Ross in the middle of an inning.Hes like a brother to me and for
him to give me that was pretty cool, Ross said.The Cardinals pulled within one
on Jhonny Peraltas two-out RBI single in the eighth, but Brandon Moss flied to
center with runners on the corners. Willson Contreras responded with an RBI
single in the bottom half and Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 16th save
with the NL Central champions and No. 36 on the year.Martinez (15-9), pitching
with a heavy heart after the death of Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez in a boating
accident, allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out six and
walked four.He had lots of juice, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. Its
probably the hardest sinker Ive ever seen him throw. A couple of those were 97
(mph). He was locked in. He wanted it bad today, and he was good enough for us
to win.RESTING AND MOURNINGSt. Louis shortstop Aledmys Diaz, who is dealing with
some arm fatigue, got the day off. Diaz also was a childhood friend of
Fernandez.Matheny said he would have scratched Diaz had he been in the lineup.
Diaz declined an interview request through a team spokeswoman.Hes pretty stoic.
You see how he goes about his business, Matheny said. Thats kind of how hes
handling this right now. He was a close, close friend, so hes trying to figure
out how to mourn for his friend right now and take all the information in. None
of that is easy.UP NEXTCardinals: LHP Jaime Garcia (10-12, 4.59 ERA) faces
Cincinnati RHP Tim Adleman (2-4, 4.06 ERA) on Monday night in the opener of a
seven-game homestand. After four against the last-place Reds, the Cardinals
finish the regular season with a three-game series against Pittsburgh.Cubs: RHP
Kyle Hendricks (15-8, 2.06 ERA) pitches for Chicago in the opener of a four-game
series at Pittsburgh. RHP Chad Kuhl (5-3, 3.73 ERA) gets the ball for the
Pirates on Monday night.---Jay Cohen can be reached at
http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Asics
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Scott said. Three-time Sydney premier jockey Hugh Bowman is one of eight
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