Levine: Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo Set Tone As Cubs Break Through Against Mets

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- After losing four straight to the New York Mets a few weeks ago, it was time for the Cubs to step it up Monday evening. The same went for left-hander Jon Lester, who had been roughed up for 13 runs on 13 hits combined in his previous two outings.

Both the Cubs and Lester came through at Wrigley Field, as he tossed 7 2/3 strong innings to lead Chicago to a 5-1 win. That snapped a streak of eight straight Mets win against the Cubs, dating back to New York's sweep in the NLCS last season.

Lester improved to 10-4 by allowing one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings. He only blemish was allowing a lead-off homer to Wilmer Flores in the seventh inning. Lester struck out three and walked three.

"We didn't play very well in New York," Lester said, with the July 3 start of his own in mind in which he allowed eight runs in 1 1/3 innings. "The biggest thing is we came out tonight and played clean baseball. We had really good quality at-bats. We have the target on our back. They are coming in here ready, and we have to make sure we don't beat ourselves."

Lester got all the offense he needed from All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo. After battling Mets left-hander Steven Matz in a long at-bat in the third inning, Rizzo hit a three-run homer into the right-center field bleachers.

"That is what we talk about," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

"When you continually frustrate a pitcher with two strikes on you, that is when their tendency is -- to make a mistake. You must be willing to make an adjustment. I always use the word adaptation. When you have two strikes on you, you have to adapt."

Rizzo's at bat was one to remember. After working the count to 2-2, Rizzo fouled off five consecutive pitches. On the 10th pitch, he hit his 22nd homer and drove in his 66th, 67th and 68th RBIs of the season.

"Matz is very tough," Rizzo said. "He is very tough on lefties. I just battled there, fought some good pitches off and put a good swing on the one he left over the plate."

Since June 18, Rizzo leads all first basemen in the majors with 36 hits, 11 doubles and seven home runs, and he's hitting .375 during that stretch of games.

"I would say it's good to get a win against them," Rizzo said of finally beating the Mets. "We are just playing well one day at a time. We just want to keep that going. It was good to see Lester do what he does. He was locked in from the first pitch. It was a good one for us."

Chicago is now 29-15 at Wrigley Field, the best home record in the NL. The Cubs (56-36) have also beaten the Mets in eight consecutive regular-season games at Wrigley Field.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.