Cubs' losing streak over at 8

For the Cubs, it wasn't just the heat. It was the humiliation.

It was the humiliation of an eight-game losing streak that had them reeling in Cincinnati's hot and hazy sun Wednesday.

But pitcher Ryan Dempster and a couple of big hitters found a way to beat the heat and the Reds 4-1 and end that streak.

Dempster looked doubtful for a few minutes before the game, and it had nothing to do with the heat. He said he felt his right hip tighten during warm-ups, and the Cubs had Rodrigo Lopez get ready just in case.

But Dempster fought it off and went out there.

“It wasn't a lot of fun warming up out there,” he told reporters. “But I was able to hang in there and get a win today. It wasn't even bothering me when I woke up, just when I was warming up. Hopefully I'll be all right. It's just a little strain, but I think it will be good.

“One of those things where it just got tight. I was having trouble pushing off my right leg. I took a little bit of a breather and I was able to get back on the mound and make pitches. I wasn't able to push off today, but it didn't matter, just tried to keep the ball down and execute pitches. It loosened up as the game went on. The doctor said it was a little strain in there. I've been through worse.”

Dempster evened his record at 5-5 and got his ERA under 6, at 5.96. The Cubs got all the offense they needed in the fourth, when first baseman Carlos Pena launched a 2-run homer to right field. It was Pena's ninth.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez followed immediately with his third of the year.

“Instant offense, runs like that are great,” said manager Quade. “We still left some people on, but overall we played great.”

For once, things went to plan with the pitching. Dempster earned a quality start with 6 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball. That set the stage for relievers Kerry Wood, Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol to finish, with Marmol rebounding from his disastrous outing Sunday in St. Louis and earning his 11th save.

“I can't say enough about the pitching,” Quade said. “Ryan had some hip tightness. I was wondering what to do with the lineup card. I told Dusty (Reds manager Baker) and asked the umpires. They told me I had until he took the mound. He just couldn't get his hip loose. He pitched so well. He got better as the game went on. It was nothing serious.”

It's impossible to say after one game that things are turning around, especially as this meat-grinder road trip continues Thursday in Philadelphia.

But the Cubs are getting some good news on the injury front. Infielder Jeff Baker and outfielder Reed Johnson will head to Class AAA Iowa on Thursday to begin rehab assignments. Left fielder Alfonso Soriano may join them Sunday.

“I'm trying to remember the last time I was excited about guys going on rehab,” Quade said. “I want all of them (back).”