Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on May 31, 2009 3:30PM

Cubs Drop Dodgers
Ryan Dempster and the Cubs strongarmed the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, winning 7-0. Dempster pitched seven scoreless innings while conceding only three hits and a walk, as the National League's most potent offensive team was shut out for the first time this season. Reed Johnson had a perfect day at the plate for Chicago, going 3-for-3 with a base-on-balls, a home run and two RBI. Mike Fontenot also drove in a pair of runs on two extra-baggers and Milton Bradley hit safely on three occasions. Four of Chicago's seven runs came against L.A. starter Eric Stults, who lasted only three innings and is now carrying an ERA of more than eight in his last three appearances. The Cubs will pitch Sean Marshall against the Dodgers' Eric Martin tonight, as they try to take the four-game series and exorcise last season's playoff demons.

Sox Come Back, Beat Royals
The White Sox laid claim to their fourth straight series victory with a 5-3 comeback win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. The Royals jumped ahead 2-0, scoring in the first and third innings against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle. Buehlre stayed the course, however, allowing only three scattered hits over the next four frames to keep the Sox in the mix. Jim Thome picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Chris Getz did the same in the seventh, tying the game at two. The Sox then took the lead in the eighth when Thome brought home Scott Podsednik on a soft ground out to the pitcher, but K.C. answered in the bottom half of the inning when Miguel Olivo launched a solo shot to left off Buehrle. Undetered, Podsednik and Alexei Ramirez each singled home a run in the ninth, and Bobby Jenks came in to close the door for his eleventh save of the season. The Sox draw 8-1 Zack Greinke this afternoon as they attempt to complete the series sweep.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh