The Chicago Cubs are in search of two season-firsts Tuesday, as they send winless ace Ryan Dempster to the mound to try to secure their first three-game winning streak of 2012 in the second game of a three-game set with visiting Atlanta.
The Cubs have won two straight for the third time this season, but they haven't yet pushed a streak to three games. To do so, they'll need to provide some run support for Dempster, who has gotten only seven runs in his four starts.
The Braves' offense fell flat in the opener against Jeff Samardzija, managing only a solo home run in the second inning from Jason Heyward and nothing more. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped Atlanta a game behind National League East leader Washington.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Randall Delgado (2-3, 5.14 ERA)
Delgado turned in his longest and best start of his young career Thursday against the Phillies. He allowed two runs on six hits over eight innings, but he took the loss in a 4-0 defeat. The 22-year-old has lost his last three starts after winning his first two of the season.
Dempster has been the picture of tough luck. He leads the majors with a 0.95 ERA but is still in search of his first win since Aug. 11, a span of 13 starts. He was dominant Thursday at Cincinnati, holding the Reds to three hits over eight scoreless innings, but the Reds rallied in the ninth and won in extra innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves leadoff man Michael Bourn is one of few Atlanta players who have had success against Dempster; he is 10-for-29 with five walks against him.
2. The Cubs rank 13th among 16 National League teams with 18 home runs, but they hit three Monday. The back-to-back homers by LaHair and Stewart on Monday were the first back-to-back shots by Cubs players since Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena did it Aug. 11, 2011.
3. LaHair has reached base in 25 consecutive games, the longest streak by a Cubs first baseman since Derrek Lee's 30-game streak in 2009.