The Braves had taken a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Freddie Freeman's leadoff home run, only the fifth by Atlanta this season, and the Cubs tied the game in the fifth on David Ross' RBI single. Chicago starter Jon Lester struck out 10 over seven innings but did not get a decision, and he is winless in three home starts.
Ross' RBI single
ATL@CHC: Ross singles in Baez to tie the game
David Ross lines a single to left field, driving in Javier Baez to tie the game at 1 in the 5th inning
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Young at heart: Javier Baez doubled to open the Chicago fifth, the first hit off Aaron Blair, and one out later, he scored on Ross' single to left. Ross now has five RBIs in his past five games. The veteran totaled nine RBIs in 72 games last season when he batted .176.
Leaving em loaded: Before surrendering their fourth grand slam of the season and third within the past eight days, the Braves were unable to take advantage of the bases-loaded threat against Lester in the seventh inning. The threat ended with Nick Markakis' groundout, but it was quieted when Jace Peterson struck out in a pinch-hit appearance. While carrying 13 pitchers over the past few days, the Braves have been forced to send Peterson and Kelly Johnson to the plate for pinch-hit opportunities against left-handed pitchers.
Lester escapes bases-loaded jam
ATL@CHC: Lester retires Markakis to escape big jam
Jon Lester leaves the bases loaded when he gets Nick Markakis to ground out to first base, escaping a jam in the top of the 7th inning
Escape artist: Lester has been working on his pickoff throws to first, but he had a problem in the seventh. The Braves had runners at first and second with nobody out when Erick Aybar bunted toward the pitcher. First baseman Rizzo was charging in, but Lester fielded the ball and froze, rather than throw to first. Aybar was safe and the bases were loaded. Lester escaped the mess by striking out the next two batters before getting Markakis to ground out to Rizzo at first.
Another encouraging start: Blair impressed as he limited the Cubs to one run and two hits over six innings. The young right-hander once again displayed a good mix of offspeed pitches while keeping Chicago's hitters off balance. After walking two of the first three batters he faced, the Braves rookie retired each of the next eight batters. He has pitched into the sixth inning in each of his first two career starts.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
With Rizzo's and Szczur's run-scoring hits in the eighth, the Cubs now have 39 RBIs this season with the bases loaded.
WHAT'S NEXT
Braves: Julio Teheran will take the mound when Atlanta and Chicago resume this three-game series on Saturday at 2:20 p.m. ET. Teheran produced his most impressive start of the young season on Monday, when he limited the Red Sox to one run over seven innings.
Cubs: John Lackey will make his fifth start of the season and be matched up with catcher Tim Federowicz, called up from Triple-A Iowa to take the injured Miguel Montero's spot on the roster. Lackey gave up six runs over 5 2/3 innings against the Reds in his last start. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 CT at Wrigley Field.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.
Carrie Muskat has covered the Cubs since 1987, and for MLB.com since 2001. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings. You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat and listen to her podcast.
Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Szczur's slam punctuates Cubs' big win
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