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Dempster wins 15th as Ramirez, Cubs pound Nationals

Aug 23, 2008 - 9:41 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ryan Dempster authored another chapter to what has been a storybook season with the Chicago Cubs.

Less than 24 hours after Chicago suffered one of its worst home losses of the season, Dempster pitched into the eighth inning to record his 15th win, leading Chicago to a 9-2 triumph over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Aramis Ramirez belted a pair of three-run homers for the Cubs, who dropped a 13-5 decision in Friday's series opener.

But Chicago roared back Saturday thanks to Dempster (15-5), who matched his career high for wins in a single season. The righthander allowed one run and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out four to improve to 12-2 at Wrigley Field this season.

"The most games I have won in my career is 15, so this is kind of a nice reward getting there," said Dempster, who previously won 15 games in 2001 with Florida. "I am not complacent, and we are not finished with what we are trying to do here.

"It's a good feeling, and I will enjoy this win today and then go get ready for my next start."

After spending the last four seasons as a reliever for the Cubs, Dempster has thrived in his return to the starting rotation. A starter in his first seven seasons in the majors, he leads the Cubs in wins, ERA (2.85) strikeouts (153) and innings (170 2/3).

"He is one of our team leaders in the clubhouse, and not because he is making speeches," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "Ryan keeps our team loose, the players like him and he is part of the good chemistry we have with our club."

"(Dempster) has been our MVP, I have said that since the first month of the season," Chicago second baseman Mark DeRosa added. "I know he set a personal best in wins today, but he is not satisfied. He has busted his tail to put himself in this position and he has just been unbelievable for us."

Dempster has an outside chance to reach 20 wins this season, as the Cubs still have 33 games remaining on their schedule. But the 31-year-old has set much loftier goals for himself.

"I don't really care about winning 20," Dempster said. "It would be a nice personal thing. All I really want is to win a World Series. If we do that, I will take 15 wins."

Dempster received all the run support he would need in the fourth inning of Saturday's matinee contest, when the Cubs opened a 4-0 lead against Nationals starter Odalis Perez (5-10). Derrek Lee ripped an RBI single and Ramirez followed with a his first homer of the game.

Alfonso Soriano had an RBI double in the fifth, DeRosa belted a solo homer in the next inning and Ramirez lofted his second three-run shot in the eighth to make it 9-1.

It was the 22nd homer this season for Ramirez, who is tied with Soriano for the team lead. Ryan Theriot added three hits for the Cubs (79-50), who own the best record in the National League.

"We have a great offense but (the media) panic too quickly," Ramirez said. "When you play big league ballclubs, you are not going to score 10 runs every day."

Perez lasted just 4 1/3 innings, surrendering five runs - four earned - 10 hits and four walks with four strikeouts.

"I thought (Perez) struggled the whole game with his command," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "He was able to work out of a few jams, but you can only work out of so many (jams) against a good ballclub like the Cubs."

Ryan Zimmerman had three hits for the Nationals, who have lost 13 of their last 15 games.