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Cubs' Dempster looking to bounce back against Giants

Jul 2, 2008 - 12:49 PM Chicago Cubs (50-34) at San Francisco (37-47) 10:15 p.m. EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Ryan Dempster looks to bounce back from his worst start of the season when the Chicago Cubs continue a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.

Dempster (9-3, 3.26 ERA) has been stellar this season in his return to the rotation after spending the last three campaigns as the Cubs' closer. However, the 31-year-old righthander was pounded for eight runs and seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings on Friday, walking three while striking out only one en route to a 10-3 loss against the Chicago White Sox.

The loss was just Dempster's first in his last four decisions but he may have trouble avoiding a second straight setback on Wednesday. Dempster is 0-3 with a 4.19 ERA in seven road outings this season and has never beat the Giants in seven career starts - posting an 0-6 record.

After winning the series opener by seven runs on Monday, the Cubs lost for the seventh time in their last eight road games, 2-1, on Tuesday night.

Kevin Correia (1-5, 4.79) tries to continue Chicago's struggles on the road when he takes the mound for the Giants.

Correia allowed just one run and four hits in five innings on Friday, but did not factor in the decision as San Francisco endured a 4-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.