Lieber Makes Quick Work of Cardinals

Jon Lieber didn’t have to worry about much offense but got what he needed from Fred McGriff.

McGriff homered twice, and Lieber pitched a three-hitter as the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 2-1, Friday in the major leagues’ fastest game of the season so far.

Lieber (6-4) struck out seven in his 21st career complete game and third this season.

“I want to finish every time I am out there,” Lieber said. “It is just my mentality.”

The game took only 1 hour 49 minutes to play.

There were no walks and only six hits, three of which were home runs.

The Chicago right-hander made only one mistake, a home run to J.D. Drew, the second batter of the game. Drew hit Lieber’s first pitch to him for his 11th homer of the season.

Lieber retired the next 10 Cardinals. Between the fifth and the eighth innings, he retired 15 of 16 and didn’t allow any runners to reach second base.

Woody Williams (4-3) retired the first 12 Cubs until McGriff tied it in the fifth inning with a homer into the right-field bleachers. It was the first home run Williams had allowed in 22 innings.

In the seventh, McGriff hit his second of the game and 13th this season. It was the third time this season McGriff homered twice in a game, the 39th multiple home-run game of his career.

Williams gave up only three hits and struck out seven in seven innings.