Dempster doubles the fun

It looked like an unfair fight at game time.

Depleted Colorado trotted out a starting nine Saturday afternoon that had combined for just 14 home runs all year -- 1 more than Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and 39 fewer than the home team's lineup.

So what happened at Wrigley Field? The Rockies reached the bleachers three times as often as the Cubs, but the team with the major leagues' best record found an unlikely power source to kickstart a 5-4 victory before 41,529.

After surrendering Omar Quintanilla's first career homer in the top of the second, winning pitcher Ryan Dempster ignited the Cubs' offense with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the inning for his first extra-base hit since July 2002.

Alfonso Soriano followed with a 2-run homer that rode the westerly breeze into the right-field seats as the Cubs claimed their sixth win in a row.

Brace yourself: The Cubs enter June with the majors' best record for the first time since 1908.

Hmm, why does 1908 sound so familiar around these parts?

"We've gotten ourselves in good position, that's all," Piniella said. "That's what we worked hard in spring training for. There's satisfaction that we have played well, but best record? No, I don't look at those things."

Well, how about looking at this thing: With a victory today, Piniella's bunch can wrap up the franchise's first perfect homestand (of six games or more) since April 1970.

A win would be a virtual lock if Dempster could throw again.

The 31-year-old has made 8 of his 12 starts at Wrigley, and he owns a 7-0 record with a 2.55 ERA. The Cubs even won his lone no-decision.

Dempster (7-2) might have had his worst outing of the season as he couldn't find the plate in the early going.

"I was getting myself into my own jams," said Dempster, who walked four and hit a batter.

Because Dempster needed 68 pitches to get through the first 3 innings, Piniella lifted him after 5 innings and turned over a 5-3 lead to the bullpen.

That would have been a dicey proposition earlier in the year, but Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts, Bobby Howry and Carlos Marmol teamed up to allow just one baserunner until Scott Podsednik's solo homer with two outs in the ninth.

"The important thing today is that Cotts came in and gave us some nice outs," Piniella said. "And so did Dempster."

Piniella meant to say Wuertz, but that's an understandable mistake on a sunny day when the middle relievers threw as competently as the starters have all along.

Wuertz threw a perfect sixth. Then Cotts, providing his best major-league effort since last May, allowed a walk in his 1½-inning stint.

"We need that area of the bullpen to function," Piniella said.

Especially on the days when the bats don't thunder.

Cubs 5, Rockies 4

At the plate: Alfonso Soriano's 2-run homer in the second inning put the Cubs ahead for good, which earned him his eighth game-winning hit of the year. That ties the White Sox' Carlos Quentin for the MLB lead. Geovany Soto posted 2 of the Cubs' 6 doubles, both of which went off Rockies gloves.

On the mound: Led by Ryan Dempster's 7 strikeouts in 5 innings, five Cubs pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts. The bullpen teamed up to allow 1 hit, 1 run and 1 walk in 4 innings. Carlos Marmol picked up his third save despite allowing Scott Podsednik's solo homer.

-- Lindsey Willhite