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(Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs try for their fifth straight win this afternoon when they close a brief two-game set with the New York Mets at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs continued their strong play of late in the opener of this set on Monday, as Carlos Zambrano threw seven solid innings, and Felix Pie helped Chicago break open a close game with his first homer of the season in a 7-1 win.

Zambrano (3-1) gave up one run on five hits and two walks, while striking out four for the Cubs, who scored five runs in the eighth inning to turn the game into a blowout.

Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer, while Kosuke Fukudome went 2-for-4 to help Chicago win for the seventh time in its last eight tries. The Cubs have scored at least six runs in six of those contests.

John Maine (1-2) threw six solid innings, and surrendered two runs on five hits and a pair of walks, while also striking out six. Aaron Heilman, though, gave up four runs -- all unearned -- in the eighth inning as the game slipped away for the Mets, who have lost two straight after a five-game win streak.

Endy Chavez doubled and scored New York's lone run.

Chicago will hand the ball today to left-hander Ted Lilly, who is 0-3 on the season with a 9.16 ERA this season. Lilly lost his second straight start on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds, as he surrendered five runs and six hits in six innings.

Lilly, who has given up 19 runs and 25 hits in 18 2/3 innings this season, is 1-1 lifetime against the Mets with a 4.67 ERA in four games (three starts).

New York will counter with right-hander Nelson Figueroa, who will be making his third start in place of the injured Pedro Martinez, Figueroa, who is 1-0 on the year with a 3.60 ERA, received a no-decision on Thursday against Washington, as he allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings of a 3-2 win.

Figueroa has faced the Cubs seven times (three starts) and is 0-3 against them with a 3.97 ERA.

New York won five of seven from the Cubs last season, including two of three in the Windy City.