Jon Lester just had the worst start of his MLB career

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Jon Lester has had better days on the bump.

The Cubs starter didn't end the first half of the season how he wanted, allowing 10 - yes, 10 - runs in the top of the first inning against the Pirates on Sunday.

Lester didn't make it out of the first inning, something the future Hall of Famer had never done in his previous 334 career starts.

Here's how the inning went for Lester:

Josh Harrison singled.

Fransisco Cervelli grounded out to third, advancing Harrison to second.

Andrew McCutchen walked.

David Freese reached on a Kris Bryant error that loaded the bases.

Josh Bell singled to right, scoring Harrison. (1-0)

Jose Osuna doubled down the left field line, scoring McCutchen and Freese. (3-0)

Jordy Mercer singled to left, scoring Bell and Osuna. (5-0)

Max Moroff walked.

Chad Kuhl's sacrifice bunt moved Mercer to third and Moroff to second.

Josh Harrison walked to load the bases.

Francisco Cervelli hit a grand slam into the left-field basket. (9-0)

Andrew McCutchen homered to left-center. (10-0)

 

 

Take a deep breath after reading that. Lester was pulled after 53 pitches, and the Pirates threatened again against reliever Mike Montgomery, as Freese walked and Bell singled. Finally, after nearly 40 minutes, Osuna flied out to center and the damage was finally done in the first.

The Cubs hadn't allowed 10 in an inning in nearly two decades.

It also marked more first-inning troubles for the Cubs pitchers and defense. They lead the majors in first-inning runs allowed and have already surpassed last year's and 2015's totals.

Not great, Bob.

 

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