Gibsons Ryan Dempster (5-5) lost his second straight decision Wednesday afternoon in what might be his last start for the Chicago Cubs.

The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in six innings with six strikeouts and no walks as the Cubs dropped a 3-2 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

His ERA, which had been a major league-leading 2.11, rose to 2.25.

Dempster lost last Friday as well, 4-1 in St. Louis to the Cardinals where his 33-inning shutout streak also came to an end.

In that game he allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings with three of the runs coming in the first inning. He struck out two and walked two.

With the Major League trade deadline Tuesday, July 31, a deal was reported on Monday (July 23) that had Dempster going to the Atlanta Braves for 22-year-old pitcher Randall Delgado. But those reports were false.

As a player with 10 years of Major League service and the past five with the same club (Chicago), Dempster has the power to veto any trades.

Rumours have also linked Dempster to the Los Angeles Dodgers. As Coast Reporter went to press Thursday, Dempster was still a member of the Cubs.

Richey qualifies for amateur

Roberts Creek’s Connor Richey was one of 21 players who earned a berth on Sunday in an 18-hole supplemental qualifier at the 110th B.C. Amateur Golf Championships at Swan-e-set Bay Resort and Country Club in Pitt Meadows.

Richey took medallist honours thanks to a two-under-par 70.

The BC Amateur is a 157-player, 72-hole stroke play competition open to male and female golfers who have qualified by way of their zone, exemptions or the supplemental qualifier.

Play began on Tuesday where Richey shot a 78. He followed that up with a round of 70 on Wednesday to sit in a tie for 16th.

The field was cut to the low 70 and ties for the final two rounds Thursday and Friday.