Dempster, Ramirez cool off Nationals

A self-professed profuse sweater, Ryan Dempster sure kept his cool against the Washington Nationals in anything but sweater weather Saturday at Wrigley Field, what with the high humidity and Amazon basin-like dew point.

"It was as hot today as it was in Florida," Dempster said. "It was sticky out there and you're sweating a lot."

If he was, it sure didn't show. The veteran right-hander made his 15th victory of the season - tying a career-high - a 9-2 thumping of the Nationals look like it was absolutely no sweat at all.

"He's been unbelievable, he's been our MVP," second baseman Mark DeRosa said. "I know he's (tied) a personal best, but he's not satisfied at all.

"He's one of these guys that's busted his tail to put himself in this position - he's been just unbelievable for us."

And it hasn't just been on the mound.

"He's one of our leaders in the clubhouse," manager Lou Piniella said. "He keeps our guys loose, the players like him - he's part of our good chemistry."

DeRosa says Dempster isn't just part of the good chemistry, he sets the tone.

"He makes the guys around him not only better players but better people off the field - he's a class guy," DeRosa said.

"Hopefully I'm the same as I was the first day I walked in there," Dempster said. "I have a good time with the guys. I like to come to the ballpark every day with a good attitude and expecting to win and lead by example.

"I think that's the thing about our clubhouse; we've got a lot of guys who are big professionals - they show up every day and work their tails off before we even step across the white lines tio play the game."

It's been well documented how much work Dempster put in over the off-season, and the results have exceeded almost everyone's expectations.

"He's on a bit of a mission," Piniella said.

And what exactly is that mission?

"To win baseball games, help this team win and get himself a nice contract next year - which he deserves," Piniella said. "Outside of (Arizona's) Brandon Webb, there aren't too many people pitching better."

Thanks to a pair of 3-run homers from red-hot Aramis Ramirez, Dempster's job was made quite a bit easier Saturday.

"What a game Rammy had, man," Dempster said.

And what a solid season season Dempster has had, already picking up win No. 15 with over a month to go.

"It's great; it's a nice feeling to have, but at the same time there's a long way to go and I've got a lot of starts left," he said.

Thinking about reaching 20 down the road?

"No. We'll worry about winning tomorrow's game," Dempster said. "I think that's been a good approach for us so far."