CHICAGO — Kris Bryant had the perfect housewarming gift for the renovated bleachers at Wrigley Field.
Bryant and Anthony Rizzo homered on consecutive pitches in the first, leading Jon Lester and the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets on Monday night.
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The Cubs opened the bleachers in left and center for the first time this season, and Bryant provided a stirring welcome with a two-run shot to left for the prospect’s first homer at the cozy neighborhood ballpark.
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“It’s really nice for him to get that monkey off his back here at Wrigley,” Rizzo said.
The outfield seating had been closed to the public while work continued on the aging facility. Another section in right should be finished this summer after bad weather and other issues delayed construction in the offseason.
Lester (3-2) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings, and three relievers from Chicago’s struggling bullpen closed it out. Justin Grimm and Zac Rosscup each got three outs before Hector Rondon finished the six-hitter for his seventh save in eight chances.
“You just want to hold onto the lead somehow,” manager Joe Maddon said. “And we did.”
Lester struck out six and walked four. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts in May.
“I think it was a story of good, bad and indifferent all in one,” Lester said.
Thumbnail photo via Caylor Arnold/USA TODAY Sports Images
