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Lester goes for Cubs in finale with Dodgers

Jun 25, 2015 - 10:55 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jon Lester tries for his first win in seven starts on Thursday when the Chicago Cubs close out a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

Lester has lost his last three decisions, but hasn't allowed more than a run in either of his last two starts and hasn't picked up a decision in either. He was solid on Saturday in Minnesota, as he yielded a run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings of his team's 4-1 win.

"I never [want to come out]," Lester said. "That's the way I've always been. I don't want to leave games. That's why you have managers and pitching coaches to make those decisions for you. I may not be happy at the time, but I'll never second-guess the manager on what he's trying to do."

Lester, who is 4-5 on the year with a 3.80 ERA, beat the Dodgers the only other time he faced them.

Los Angeles will counter with righty Carlos Frias, who has also lost his last three decisions. Frias lost his second straight start on Saturday to the San Francisco Giants, as he surrendered six runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings to fall to 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA.

"You have to figure out how to make less mistakes and today there was no room for mistakes," Frias said.

This will be Frias' first start against the Cubs, but he has faced them twice out of the bullpen and has allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings.

After losing the first two in this set, Los Angeles bounced back on Wednesday, as Justin Turner smacked a three-run homer and the Dodgers rolled, 5-2.

"Justin's been that guy that I've been able to put in all different spots in the order, play in a number of spots in the field, use him in different ways," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.

Adrian Gonzalez cracked a solo shot for the Dodgers, who won for only the third time in 10 games. Starter Mike Bolsinger, a Chicago native, allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

J.P. Howell (3-1) tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Kenley Jansen blanked the Cubs in the ninth to notch his 10th save of the season.

Liam Hendricks (2-4) surrendered four runs on four hits and a walk over five frames for Chicago, which had its four-game winning streak halted.

"He just wasn't really sharp with his command at all," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Hendricks.

Los Angeles was 4-3 against the Cubs last season.