Lester, Sox Hold On For 4-3 Win Over Cubs

Jarrod Saltalmacchia's 12th home run of the season in the top of the 4th inning gave the Red Sox an early 2-run lead to help pace Boston to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Sox added single runs in the 6th on RBI singles by Will Middlebrooks and Scott Podsednik in the 7th.

Jon Lester (pictured) held the Cubs scoreless until the bottom of the 7th inning when a double and a walk preceded Luis Valbuena's 1st home run of the season. Lester went 6.1 innings and was charged with 3 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 8. Scott Atchison, Vicente Padilla and Alfredo Aceves combined for 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in helping Lester earn his 4 win against 4 losses. For Aceves, it was his 16th save of the season.

NOTES - Podsednik, Saltalamacchia and Mike Aviles each had a pair of hits.

Before the game, the Sox announced that Josh Beckett was put on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation of his right shoulder.