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Cubs, Bryant top Mets in series opener

May 12, 2015 - 4:58 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs opened a four-game series against the New York Mets with a 4-3 victory on Monday.

Anthony Rizzo also homered and Addison Russell supplied an RBI single for the Cubs, who bounced back after dropping their final two games against the Brewers.

Starter Jon Lester (3-2) earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits and four walks with six strikeouts in six innings of work.

"I think Jon is just fine," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Lester. "I see him getting better every time out."

Lucas Duda and Wilmer Flores hit consecutive homers during the sixth inning, while Jacob deGrom (3-4) gave up four runs on five hits and four walks over five frames for the Mets, who entered the game with wins in four of their last five games.

"It boils down to location," said deGrom. "Tonight I struggled with it and I think that kind of makes me get off my game plan."

The Cubs got to deGrom early as Bryant and Rizzo each homered in the first inning.

Dexter Fowler was hit by a pitch to start the frame and Bryant smacked a 2-1 fastball into the newly-renovated left-field bleachers to bring him home. It was the first time this season that fans were allowed to sit in the bleachers in left and center field.

Rizzo followed Bryant by crushing the first pitch he saw to right center for a 3-0 lead.

With runners on the corners and two outs in the fourth, Kevin Plawecki hit a grounder up the middle for an RBI single to put the Mets on the board.

Russell got the run back for Chicago in the bottom half as his two-out line- drive single to right plated Chris Coghlan, who led off with a base hit. Fowler singled and Bryant walked to load the bases, but Rizzo grounded out to deGrom to end the threat.

Duda and Flores got the Mets within 4-3 by getting ahold of fastballs for back-to-back solo shots with one out in the sixth.

The Cubs bullpen kept the lead intact as Justin Grimm and Zac Rosscup combined to allow just one baserunner during the seventh and eighth and Hector Rondon earned his seventh save of the season with a flawless ninth.

Game Notes

The Cubs improved to 6-1 in their last seven series openers and 13-2 in their last 15 games when their starting pitchers record a quality start ... Chicago has won its last four home games against New York ... The Mets went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.