Chicago Cubs ace Jon Lester hasn’t received ample amount of run support throughout the 2015 campaign, but tonight it didn’t matter because the veteran left-hander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning as the Cubs shutout the Atlanta Braves 4-0.

Lester (5-8, 3.37 ERA) has the third lowest amount of run support (2.47 runs-per-start) in the Major Leagues, and because of that hadn’t won a game since May 16th against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs offense didn’t break out the boom sticks tonight but Lester took matters into his own hands as he went 7.1 innings of shutout ball. He allowed two hits, one walk and struck out seven.

This no-hit bid didn’t happen according to script as Braves outfielder Nick Markakis hit a chopper down the third base line that squeaked underneath the glove of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. It was originally ruled a base hit that would’ve taken care of the no-hitter in the very first inning, however, the score keeper changed the ruling in the top of the seventh inning from a hit to an error.

"I really didn't understand what was going on, why they changed it or what happened or why it took so long or whatever," Lester said postgame. "At first it was kind of confusing why all of a sudden it was changed, but at the end of the day it didn't matter."

The suspense lasted for at least one inning as Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski led off the eighth inning with a hard hit single to right field. Two batters later, Andrelton Simmons singled up the middle putting runners at first and second, one out. Jon Lester was removed from the game leaving it to the bullpen to get the job done.

Turner Field played like Wrigley Field later in the game as a high wind was blowing from left field to right, causing some hard hit balls to be caught routinely. An example was in the eighth inning as Juan Uribe stepped up to the plate with Pierzynski standing at first base after he broke up the no-no. Uribe smashed a cutter that didn’t cut from Jon Lester to deep left-center field, but instead of clearly the fences easily, Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler glided over to catch the ball with ease. That would’ve tied the game at two and who knows what Atlanta could’ve done with that momentum.

The Cubs offense got on the board in the third inning as Kris Bryant singled to left with two outs. Bryant would advance to third base as Braves starter Manny Banuelos (1-1, 1.08 ERA) would commit an error as he made a pick-off attempt to first base. Anthony Rizzo made them pay with a two-out RBI single to right field. Chicago added another run in the fourth inning as Chris Denorfia led off the inning with a double and scored on the next at-bat as Starlin Castro singled to right, giving the Cubs a 2-0 lead.

Atlanta Braves left-handed starter Manny Banuelos ended up with the loss as he went 4.2 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits. The rookie left-hander struggled with command as he walked three batters and struck out only four. Like most rookies, Banuelos isn’t going deep into games because he goes deep into counts and gives up too many free passes. To his credit he’s done a nice job limiting damage and pitching with runners on base.

Chicago put the finishing touches on a nice night as they added two more insurance runs in the ninth inning. Addison Russell singled followed by a Dexter Fowler walk off of rookie reliever Ryan Kelly. Kris Bryant followed with a fielder’s choice that got the runner out at third, but Braves third baseman Juan Uribe was charged with an error as he made a bad throw to first that got away from the first baseman Chris Johnson, allowing Fowler to score and Bryant to end up at third base. Anthony Rizzo once against came through with two outs as he singled to center to drive home Bryant making it 4-0.

This is the second time this season Jon Lester has taken a no-hitter into the seventh inning. The other one came against the St. Louis Cardinals that was broken up by Jhonny Peralta with a hard hit single down the third base line. Lester does have a no-hitter to his name as he accomplished the feat back in 2008 against the Kansas City Royals as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

Not only was this the first win for Chicago after the All-Star break, but the first win against the Braves at Turner Field since 2012. The streak was snapped at eight-straight losses against Atlanta.

Atlanta did break a franchise-record tonight, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, as they used their 51st player this season in the form of newly signed reliever Jason Frasor. There are still over two months left in the season and you have to figure the Braves will make more roster moves whether it is because of injury, trades or free-agent signings.

GAME THREE MATCHUP:

The Chicago Cubs will send Jake Arrieta (10-5, 2.66 ERA) to the mound as they look to take the three-game series on the road. Arrieta has been Chicago’s best pitcher this year, and is currently dominating the National League as he is 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last five starts.

The Atlanta Braves will send their lone All-Star Shelby Miller (5-5, 2.38 ERA) to the mound as they look to win their third-straight home series. Like Jon Lester, Miller has dealt with poor run support all season as he has the fifth-worst run support in the National League (3.17 runs-per-start). Miller has been the Braves ace all season and will need to continue that trend Sunday against a very good Chicago team.