MLB roundup: Cubs club White Sox, win 14th straight at home
by The Associated Press on Jun. 23, 2008, under Sports
The Cubs' Eric Patterson celebrates with third base coach Mike Quade after hitting a two-run homer against the White Sox during the fifth inning Sunday.
CHICAGO – Ryan Dempster has been unbeatable at Wrigley Field. Now, it seems, so are the Cubs.
Dempster improved to 9-0 at home, Aramis Ramirez hit his fourth homer in three games, and the Cubs completed a sweep of the crosstown White Sox 7-1 Sunday night.
“We’re winning all the games. That’s what makes it fun. Not because of the White Sox,” Ramirez said after completing a huge series in which he had eight RBIs and went 6 for 13.
The Cubs, the owners of the best record in the majors (48-28), won their 14th straight home game to go 32-8 at Wrigley Field this season.
They’re 2-4 at home against Milwaukee and 30-4 against everyone else.
“We’re playing good at home. I don’t know why,” Ramirez said.
Dempster (9-2), who moved from closer back to the starting rotation this season, allowed 10 hits and a run in eight-plus innings, leaving after giving up back-to-back singles in the ninth. He walked one and struck out four and received a standing ovation when he batted in the eighth.
“It was crazy out there. When I went to hit, a standing ovation like that and coming off the field – it’s really special,” he said.
Eric Patterson, who recorded three hits Saturday when he was recalled from the minors, hit his first major league homer, a two-run shot off Javier Vazquez (7-6) in the fifth, to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead.
Braves 8, Mariners 3: At Atlanta, Mark Teixeira homered three times, connecting from both sides of the plate to back Tim Hudson.
Red Sox 5, Cardinals 3, 13 innings: At Boston, Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run home run off Mike Parisi in the bottom of the 13th inning to lift Boston over St. Louis.
Angels 3, Phillies 2: At Philadelphia, Jered Weaver held Philadelphia in check into the sixth inning, Casey Kotchman homered and Los Angeles beat the Phillies to complete a three-game sweep.
Yankees 4, Reds 1: At New York, Andy Pettitte put the Yankees back on track, running his shutout streak to 19 innings and helping New York avoid a three-game sweep with a victory over Cincinnati.
Royals 11, Giants 10: At Kansas City, Mike Aviles had three RBIs and Joey Gathright drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, capping an eight-run comeback that gave Kansas City a win over San Francisco.
Dodgers 4, Indians 3: At Los Angeles, Russell Martin capped a four-run first inning with a two-run homer and the Dodgers beat Cleveland to avoid a three-game sweep in the first series between the teams at Dodger Stadium.
Astros 3, Rays 2: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Carlos Lee hit a go-ahead two-run homer and Brandon Backe pitched into the seventh inning to stop a personal three-game losing streak, helping Houston beat Tampa Bay.
Blue Jays 8, Pirates 5: At Pittsburgh, Cito Gaston earned his first win as Blue Jays manager in 11 years, getting home runs from Scott Rolen and Adam Lind in a victory over Pittsburgh.
Mets 3, Rockies 1: At Denver, Mike Pelfrey carried a shutout into the sixth inning, Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer and New York beat Colorado to wrap up a winning road trip under interim manager Jerry Manuel.
Athletics 7, Marlins 1: At Oakland, Calif., Justin Duchscherer bounced back from a first-inning home run to win his fourth straight start, Emil Brown had a two-run single and Oakland won the rubber game against Florida.
Rangers 5, Nationals 3: At Washington, Frank Catalanotto delivered a tiebreaking, pinch-hit single in the eighth inning, and Texas beat Washington.
Brewers 7, Orioles 3: At Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit two home runs, Corey Hart and Bill Hall also homered and the Milwaukee beat Baltimore for its sixth win in seven games.
Tigers 5, Padres 3: At San Diego, Magglio Ordoñez hit a two-run homer and Justin Verlander won his first road game of the season as Detroit beat San Diego in the rubber game of a three-game series.
