Dylan Cease shut out the Cubs for seven innings, striking out 10, before his bullpen blew a two-run lead Thursday.

Louis Varland gave up a game-tying homer in the ninth. Cease has allowed four earned runs and struck out 56 in six starts since the beginning of July, and he’s nearly caught Cam Schlittler for the AL ERA lead (2.28 vs. 2.26). He’s first in the AL and second in the majors with his 184 strikeouts. His next start will come against the same Red Sox team he pitched a one-hitter against on two weeks ago.