Willson Contreras homered and had three RBIs, Jon Lester pitched five-hit ball through six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 8-3 Monday in a chippy matchup of NL division leaders.
Jason Heyward added a solo homer for Chicago, which moved one game ahead of Milwaukee in the NL Central. Lester (7-5) allowed two unearned runs and struck out seven.
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Willson Contreras homered and had three RBIs, Jon Lester pitched five-hit ball through six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 8-3 Monday in a chippy matchup of NL division leaders.
Tempers flared in the second inning when Contreras homered to right, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Contreras turned to Braves catcher Tyler Flowers after the ball left his bat, and while rounding first base, gestured toward Atlanta's dugout and thumped his chest.
Báez singled and stole second to lead off the fourth before Contreras made it 2-0. Contreras' single glanced off shortstop Dansby Swanson's glove and richocheted into center field as Báez raced home.
Atlanta lost for the sixth time in 20 games.
"There's certainly a chance that at the very end of this homestand or early on the next road trip we could be seeing him," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said.
Cubs: RHP Brendan Morrow (offseason elbow surgery) was set to pitch a third bullpen session at the Cubs' training facility in Mesa, Arizona, on Monday. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (right shoulder inflammation) tossed 15 pitches on Monday and is expected to throw a bullpen session later this week. Epstein said he could return by the All-Star break.
CUBS: RHP Adbert Alzolay (1-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his first big-league start Tuesday. He tossed four innings in relief Thursday against the Mets.
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr., right, celebrates with Austin Riley after scoring a run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman, left, is out sliding into second base as Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez, right, throws to first base during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
The Cubs strung together five straight hits in a five-run fifth inning to break the game open. Kyle Schwarber doubled into the ivy to score Carlos González. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez and Contreras followed with RBIs.
Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, right, yells at Atlanta Braves' Tyler Flowers, left, as he crosses the plate after hitting a home run as home plate umpire John Tumpane steps between the two during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Tempers flared in the second inning when Contreras homered to right, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Contreras turned to Braves catcher Tyler Flowers after the ball left his bat, and while rounding first base, gestured toward Atlanta's dugout and thumped his chest.
Contreras and Flowers exchanged words as he returned to the dugout. Heyward escorted Contreras back to the dugout, and Teheran approached the third-base line.
The benches cleared, umpire John Tumpane warned both teams and players congregated on the third-base line. No blows were exchanged.
Chicago Cubs' David Bote, left, is out at second base as Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson throws to first base during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Báez singled and stole second to lead off the fourth before Contreras made it 2-0. Contreras' single glanced off shortstop Dansby Swanson's glove and richocheted into center field as Báez raced home.
Teheran (5-6) was roughed up for the second consecutive start. He allowed six runs in four innings last Tuesday against the Mets.
Nick Markakis drove in two runs with a single in the sixth inning. Swanson hit a towering solo homer in the seventh off Tony Barnette, who made his Cubs debut after being activated from the 60-day injured list.
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr., right, slides safely into second with a stolen base as Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez loses the ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Atlanta lost for the sixth time in 20 games.
KIMBREL WATCH
Closer Craig Kimbrel will pitch in another game at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Then Cubs management will evaluate his progress. He could be activated later this week.
Atlanta Braves' Julio Teheran, center, is held back by Braves' Johan Camargo, second left, as the benches empty during a brief argument with the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
"There's certainly a chance that at the very end of this homestand or early on the next road trip we could be seeing him," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Manager Brian Snitker said it's unclear if rookie RHP Mike Soroka (right forearm) will make his scheduled start Friday against the Mets. Soroka was hit by Washington's Austin Voth in the third inning of Sunday's game. Snitker said Soroka had an "extensive forearm workout" Monday and could play long toss Tuesday.
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. hits a single against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Cubs: RHP Brendan Morrow (offseason elbow surgery) was set to pitch a third bullpen session at the Cubs' training facility in Mesa, Arizona, on Monday. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (right shoulder inflammation) tossed 15 pitches on Monday and is expected to throw a bullpen session later this week. Epstein said he could return by the All-Star break.
UP NEXT
BRAVES: LHP Max Fried (8-3, 4.03 ERA) takes the mound Tuesday. Fried allowed one hit in six shutout innings against the Cubs on April 4.
Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley hits a double against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
CUBS: RHP Adbert Alzolay (1-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his first big-league start Tuesday. He tossed four innings in relief Thursday against the Mets.
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Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant hits an RBI-single against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr., right, celebrates with Austin Riley after scoring a run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)
Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman, left, is out sliding into second base as Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez, right, throws to first base during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 24, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoJim Young)