It seemed to be a perfect sequence of events for the Cubs.

The North Siders were rolling, coming off their first sweep against the Pirates, facing the rival Cardinals, who were struggling at 1-12. Jon Lester was on the mound for the Cubs and they even rolled out to an early lead.

But the Cardinals offense found its groove against Lester and the Cubs pitching, grabbing their second win of the virtual season, a 5-1 series-opening victory at Wrigley Field.

Lester had been strong in his first two starts, pitching to a 1.46 ERA. He looked to be cruising against the Cardinals, too, with 4 strikeouts and 0 runs through 4 innings, but Harrison Bader spoiled the party.

Bader laced a ball just past Jason Heyward’s outstretched arm in right field, reaching third on a hit that rattled around the corner. Then, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright grounded out to score Bader and tie the game at 1.

In the 6th inning, Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt went deep off Lester, homering to left field to give the Cardinals the lead for good.

The Cubs turned to Alec Mills in the 7th to keep the deficit at 1. It was a logical choice, as Mills has been lights out coming out of the bullpen, pitching to a 0.00 ERA in 7 innings of work while striking out 5. He got them through the 7th, with an inning-ending pick-off at second base.

But the Cardinals found a way to hit Mills, too. The right-hander surrendered a triple, a walk and then a 3-run home run to Paul DeJong in the 8th inning as the Cardinals extended their lead.

Wainwright and the Cardinals ‘pen kept the Cubs in check, too. Wainwright allowed 4 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings of work. He permitted only one extra-base hit in the game, a leadoff double to Kris Bryant in the first inning, as he extended his hitting streak to 9 games.

Kyle Schwarber drove in Bryant in the first inning to give the Cubs the lead.

Brad Wieck was a bright spot for the Cubs. The reliever allowed 1 hit and struck out 5 as he pitched scoreless 8th and 9th innings for the Cubs. It was Wieck’s first appearance of the season.  

The Cubs will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. on the Marquee Facebook page against the Cardinals, with Tyler Chatwood toeing the rubber.

Here’s how the teams lined up:

Cubs

Kris Bryant – 3B
Anthony Rizzo – 1B
Javy Báez – SS
Kyle Schwarber – LF
Willson Contreras – C
Jason Heyward – RF
Ian Happ – CF
Jason Kipnis – 2B
Jon Lester – P

Cardinals

Kolten Wong – 2B
Justin Toerner – CF
Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
Paul DeJong – 3B
Tommy Edman – SS
Brad Miller – LF
Matt Wieters – C
Harrison Bader – RF
Adam Wainwright – P

Here’s the full game from today: