Cubs try to make it two in a row vs. Mets

(SportsNetwork.com) - Jon Lester shoots for his first win since May 16 on Wednesday when the Chicago Cubs continue a three-game series with the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Lester lost his fourth straight decision on Thursday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers banged him around for four runs and four hits with four walks in just four innings, dropping him to 4-6 to go along with a 4.03 ERA.

It was his shortest outing since July 22, 2012, when he also lasted four innings. In five June starts, Lester gave up 17 earned runs over 26 2/3 innings for a 5.74 ERA.

"The fastball was not going where he wanted it to go, and that was a problem," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Lester has beaten the Mets both times he's faced them.

New York, meanwhile, will turn to burly veteran Bartolo Colon, who takes a third shot at his 10th win. Colon dropped his second straight start and fell for the third time in four outings last Wednesday in Milwaukee, as he surrendered four runs in six innings. He is 9-6 with a 4.89 ERA.

While Lester is perfect against the Mets, Colon is 0-2 in five starts versus the Cubs with a 4.73 ERA.

In Tuesday's opener, Kyle Hendricks tossed six shutout innings and Chicago eked out a 1-0 win.

Hendricks (3-4) struck out six, scattered three hits and walked one for the Cubs, who snapped a five-game skid. Their 19 one-run wins this season are the most in MLB.

"A 1-0 win is always pretty spectacular, but we still have to do a better job offensively," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Jason Motte fired the ninth to notch his third save of the year.

Jon Niese (3-8) allowed a run on four hits and four walks over seven innings for New York, which had its four-game winning streak come to an end.

The Cubs have won 10 of the last 12 head-to-head meetings and swept a four- game set when these teams met up at Wrigley Field in May.