Ryan Dempster runs toward first after bunting. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        He has gone from bust to looking like a probable starter next season. That's Ryan Dempster's story since the Reds acquired him in a trade in July.

        Dempster's earned run average that month with the Reds (73-75) was 8.28. His record in July was 1-4. On Aug.4, he gave up a career-high 10 earned runs against San Diego while getting a no-decision after the Reds won 15-10.

        Now, after Saturday's 3-1 win against the Cubs in front of 24,292 at Cinergy Field, Dempster appears to have regained the form he had in winning 42 games in a little more than three seasons with Florida.

        “He was really super,” said Reds manager Bob Boone. “He located his fastball. He had an excellent breaking ball. I couldn't be more tickled for him.”

        Dempster (9-13) worked seven innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out 10, a season high for Reds pitchers. It also tied a season high for Dempster. He struck out 10 Tigers on June 23 while pitching for the Marlins.

Kelly Stinnett catches a foul ball. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        Dempster's season ERA has dropped to 5.60 after his second consecutive win. He hasn't lost since Aug. 25.

        In the fourth, Dempster faced the powerful middle of the Cubs lineup: Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou and ... Hee Seop Choi. Sosa went to the warning track, but Dempster got through with a 1-2-3 inning, one of four such innings for him.

        Two innings later, after giving up a leadoff home run to Roosevelt Brown, Dempster faced Sosa with men on first and second and no one out. Sosa struck out swinging as did the next batter, Alou, both on sliders. Mark Bellhorn was thrown out trying to steal third on Alou's strikeout, ending the Cubs rally.

Aaron Boone fields a grounder. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        “I left (Dempster) in that situation thinking, "OK show me what you said you can do,”' Boone said. “And he did.”

        Dempster got all he needed from the Reds offense in the fifth when Reggie Taylor singled in Kelly Stinnett. Jose Guillen followed that with an RBI double to left field.

        Russell Branyan added an insurance run in the top of the eighth, and Scott Williamson worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Tell us your feelings about Cinergy farewell Steep ticket prices for Cinergy farewell Cinergy Memories Countdown No. 10: Aaron ties Ruth Frustrated Griffey: Reds fans want to see me fail Reds 3, Cubs 1 Reds Box, Runs Graves adds 3 starts Taylor, Guillen go at each other Dunn under .200 for second half E-mail Q&A with John Fay Reds Chatter: Walker as good as a hit Giants keep wild-card lead

Brown means go for Dillon
Who's got the edge?
Burris on the spot
Keys to the game
Levi Jones' Rookie Journal
Mark's Curnutte's NFL picks
West Virginia 35, UC 32
West Virginia breathes sigh of relief
UC track star jumps into soap operas
Ohio State 25, Washington State 7
LSU 33, Miami 7
Kentucky 27, Indiana 17
Florida A&M breezes in River Front Classic
Hanover 36, Thomas More 3
Pure Prize wins Kentucky Cup Classic
College Update: Kamphake has reason to celebrate
Enquirer Power Rankings
De La Hoya stops Vargas in 11th round
Toledo St. Francis 20, Moeller 6
CHCA 34, CCD 9
Dixie Heights 47, Lloyd 19
NewCath 20, Campbell Co. 2
St. X's Larkin picks Boston College
Taft player OK after collapsing
Bacon beats St. Ursula in volleyball battle of champions
Prep Spotlight: Brian Matlock
Preps Insider: Turpin's Rauen second fastest in U.S.
Kentucky Insider: Road to state volleyball tourney rocky
Boys cross country results
Boys golf results
Boys soccer results
Field hockey results
Girls golf results
Girls soccer schedule
Girls soccer results
Girls tennis results
Girls volleyball results
Boys soccer schedule
Girls cross country results
Volleyball schedule

• Return to Reds front page...