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.