Cubs 8, Mets 7: Reed Johnson and Anthony Rizzo each homered and had four hits as visiting Chicago staved off a late New York rally to win the opener of the three-game series.

Johnson opened the game with a blast to left-center field off Johan Santana (6-5), who lost at Citi Field for the first time since April 11.

Lucas Duda responded with a solo homer in the second off Travis Wood (4-3), ending his consecutive scoreless innings streak at 20. Wood gave up three runs (two earned) over six frames.

With the game tied 2-all in the fifth, Rizzo belted a three-run homer to right.

The Cubs recorded a season-high 18 hits, and the 13 hits allowed by Santana matched his career high.

Justin Turner went 4-for-4 for the Mets, who lost for the third time in their last nine games.

The Mets threatened in the ninth against Carlos Marmol when Jordany Valdespin ripped a pinch-hit solo homer before Ike Davis drove in two with a bases-loaded single. Duda lined into a double play to end the game.

Santana gave up seven runs over 4 2/3 innings after entering the game with a 1.16 ERA in eight home starts.

Rizzo, who has reached base safely in each of his first 10 games since being promoted from Triple-A, went 4-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Chicago has been on a tear since Rizzo's arrival, winning eight of its last 11 games.

Jeff Baker added a solo homer before Luis Valbueno capped the Cubs’ five-run fifth inning with an RBI single to knock Santana out of the game.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Mets CF Andres Torres missed the game with back pain, but he’s expected to avoid the disabled list. …Johnson also hit a leadoff home run off Santana on July 23, 2007. …Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster (lat) will be activated from the disabled list to start in Sunday’s series finale. …Chicago SS Starlin Castro, who was out of the starting lineup for the first game this season, grounded out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.