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Cubs' Jon Lester Leaves Game With Left Lat Tightness

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cubs left-hander Jon Lester's start Thursday was short-lived.

After allowing nine runs (seven earned), Lester left the game in the second inning with a trainer and was evaluated for left lat tightness, the team announced.

Lester was taken for examinations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital during the game. The team expects to know his status by Friday morning.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon recognized Lester was dealing with an injury as his velocity dropped below its norm.

"Obviously, something wasn't right," Maddon said after the game, a 13-10 loss to the Reds in which the Cubs erased a 9-0 deficit to tie the game before falling late.

Left-hander Mike Montgomery took over for Lester and worked the Cubs out of a second inning in which they allowed nine runs to the Reds.

After a comeback to tie the game in the fifth inning after the help of four homers in the fourth inning, the Cubs saw their bullpen falter and allow the Reds reclaim the lead.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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