Javier Baez Sends Cubs Home Winners In NLDS Game 1 With Solo Home Run

Maybe that even-year magic has run out.

The Chicago Cubs were the ones who got the last laugh Friday in their Game 1 win over the San Francisco Giants in their National League Division Series.

Javier Baez sent the Cubs home with a 1-0 win thanks to a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. As a result, Chicago now has a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five-game series.

Despite Baez’s homer, the real story was the pitching in this one.

Jon Lester threw a gem for the Cubs, shutting out the Giants over eight innings. He only allowed five hits and struck out five. Johnny Cueto was the tough-luck loser, as he went the distance and allowed only three hits while striking out 10.

Thumbnail photo via Dennis Wierzbicki/USA TODAY Sports Images