It took 10 seasons and 67 at-bats, but Cubs pitcher Jon Lester finally notched his first major league hit Monday, snapping an 0-for-66 skid that was the longest in baseball history to start a career.
The veteran left-hander hit a second-inning infield single off Cardinals starter and former teammate John Lackey for the milestone. With two outs and two runners on, Lester lined an 0-2 pitch toward the mound that caromed off Lackey's leg and landed in front of shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
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By the time Peralta corralled the ball, a hustling Lester was standing safely on first base, pointing at the sky with both hands. The Wrigley Field crowd rose in unison for a standing ovation while the video board flashed congratulations for the achievement.
As if that weren't enough, Lester also carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Peralta's infield single broke it up.
Lester is now 1 for 31 this season and has one career walk to go the hit. Including the postseason, he is 1 for 72.
Now, if only he could conquer those pickoff demons.
