Right-field bleachers at Wrigley Field now open

CHICAGO -- Although construction fences still wrap around three-quarters of the perimeter and the Wrigley Field renovation project is far from complete, the inside of the ballpark finally looks normal again with the opening of the right-field bleachers Thursday night.

Construction delays prevented the famed bleachers from being ready for Opening Day. The left- and center-field bleachers opened last month.

The Chicago Cubs players believe the atmosphere will be better now that there are no longer any "dead" zones in the stands.

"Absolutely," Anthony Rizzo said before the Cubs' 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. "You heard it when left and center field opened up. Now that right field is open, it should be louder.

"It's good timing. Summer's here, and we're getting deep into the season."

Unseasonably cool temperatures (61 degrees at game time) kept the bleachers from filling up Thursday, but the ballpark is likely to be packed over the weekend.

"I guess we're back to capacity," manager Joe Maddon said. "It'll be fun coming off a nice road trip. I know the fans are definitely into it right now. Just walking around downtown, I'm getting a lot of feedback from the folks. It's been a lot of fun."

The capacity of the expanded bleachers is now roughly 5,400.

Cubs catcher Miguel Montero hit the first homer into the new right-field section, a three-run shot in the bottom of the first inning.