An All-Star game nod and his 10th win of the season - it's been quite a productive few days for Gibsons' Ryan Dempster.
The Chicago Cubs right-hander was named to his second All-Star squad on Sunday and promptly backed up the recognition, becoming the first Cubs pitcher in 31 years to start a season 10-0 at home in Chicago's 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday night.
Dempster, now 10-3 on the season, is the first Cubs' pitcher to win his first 10 decisions at home since Rick Reuschel in 1977. He allowed two hits and a run in seven innings, while throwing 103 pitches on a muggy night at Wrigley Field.
Outfielders Kosuke Fukudome, Alfonso Sori-ano and rookie catcher Geovany Soto were chosen to start the MLB All-Star game for the Cubs, who own the best record in the National League. Soriano has been out with a broken left hand, but may return in time to play on Tuesday when the All-Star game is contested at Yankee Stadium in New York. The game starts at 5 p.m. on Fox with a special one-hour pre-game show at 4.
Pitchers Kerry Wood and Dempster and third baseman Aramis Ramirez were chosen by NL players, and pitcher Carlos Zambrano was picked by NL manager Clint Hurdle of Colorado.
The Cubs, trying to win their first World Series in 100 years, put six players into the All-Star game in 1988 and 1936.
Dempster made his only other all-star appearance in 2000 when he pitched for the Florida Marlins. He didn't get any playing time during that game, but that will hopefully change on Tuesday night.
