With ball stuck, Jon Lester tosses mitt to first base to get out

CHICAGO --Cubs pitcher Jon Lester took glove work to a whole new level Sunday, apparently solving his issues throwing to first base in the process.

After the San Diego Padres' Clint Barmes hit a comebacker that stuck in Lester's glove in the second inning, the pitcher promptly ran toward first baseman Anthony Rizzo and tossed his entire glove, ball attached, for the out.

Lester has a history of poor throws to first base on pickoff attempts, committing an error on one in his last outing Monday when he airmailed Rizzo.

Lester gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings Sunday in the Cubs' 5-2 loss, falling to 0-2 this season in three starts.Lester, who signed a $155 million, six-year contract in the offseason as a free agent, has a 6.89 ERA.

A similar play happened as recently as last season, when Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu couldn't get the ball out of his webbing, tossing the entire glove to pitcher Scott Carroll, who was covering at the bag.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.