VIDEO: Lester airmails throw after going nearly 2 years without pickoff attempt

There's a reason why Jon Lester rarely attempts to pick runners off. He's not good at it. 

Lester, entering Monday night without attempting a pickoff throw since April 2013, showed why he prefers holding on to the ball. The left-hander tried to nab Cincinnati Reds infielder Zach Cosart at first, but sailed the throw past Anthony Rizzo and down the right-field line. 

Luckily, Lester had Jorge Soler to bail him out. 

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Lester threw over earlier in the game without issue, but wasn't as fortunate his second time around. 

"The first one felt really good, to throw a ball over to first base," Lester told reporters after the game. "It's been a while.

"The second one, I got a little excited. I looked over there and the guy was going in the other direction. When you're not used to doing stuff like that I got a little overexcited and tried throw the ball a little too soon."

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Soler was a big reason why Chicago came out with a 7-6 victory, blasting a pair of homers in addition to his superb throw. 

Lester, meanwhile, struggled again, allowing six runs on 10 hits in six innings. He has a 7.84 ERA after two starts with the Cubs.