Dempster stays perfect at home as Cubs win 7-3

There was so much excitement at Wrigley Field Tuesday that a game hardly seemed necessary.

They played it anyway, and the Cubs added to the fun for the crowed of 41,360 by beating up on the Cincinnati Reds 7-3.

About an hour-and-a-half before first pitch, the Cubs announced they had traded for Oakland ace Rich Harden, who has 5 wins this season.

That's nothing. Cub starter Ryan Dempster went out and doubled that total by earning his 10th victory against 3 losses. Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano have 9 apiece, and they'll also go in this series.

When Harden gets here, it's possible the Cubs will claim they have a deck stacked with four aces.

"We've got some guys in the rotation who are very, very capable of winning a ballgame every time," said Dempster who gave up 2 hits and 1 run in 7 innings. "I think that's important. You look at the way Ted's throwing the ball. He started like 1-4, and he's dealing since. He's been as good anybody for us.

"Z (Zambrano) and (Sean) Marshall and (Jason) Marquis, everybody. And to add a guy like Harden, when Rich is out there, he's as good as anybody in baseball."

Dempster's only trouble came in the fourth, when he walked four, including Paul Bako to force in a run.

The Cubs got a 2-run homer in the fourth by Mike Fontenot and another 2-run blast in the fifth from Geovany Soto as they beat Reds ace Aaron Harang for the fourth straight time.

Harang walked seven in 4 innings.

"We were patient tonight and saw a lot of pitches," said manager Lou Piniella, who's team improved to 54-36 and to 34-10 at home.

Dempster is 10-0 at Wrigley Field, so he has some unfinished business.

"I sure do enjoy pitching here," he said. "I'll win a game on the road eventually. It'l happen. We play so well at home. For some reason, it's been rolling for us at home."