Ryan Dempster with another quality start, but Cubs lose 3-1 to Braves; Dempster Family Foundation Casino Night is tomorrow!

The Cubs lost 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves in game 2 of the 3 game series tonight.  The series is now tied at 1-1.  Ryan Dempster had his fifth quality start and allowed six hits and one earned run and walked one batter and struck out seven during seven innings pitched.  However, he didn't receive much run support and ended up with a no-decision.

Starting pitcher Ryan Dempster high-fives Alfonso Soriano after making a catch on a fly out by the Braves' Chipper Jones during the fourth inning (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Alfonso Soriano had an RBI double and David DeJesus was 2 for e with a walk and double.  Kerry Wood came into the game in the 8th inning and allowed two runs on a two-run single by Dan Uggla to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.  He then tossed his glove and cap into the stands on his way to the dugout.   Tonight was Wood's second appearance since coming off the disabled list, and he now has a 14.54 ERA.  In contrast, Dempster has a 1.02 ERA in five starts.

The Cubs will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow at 1:20pm at Wrigley Field.  Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs.

Meanwhile, Cubs' President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein is focusing on the upcoming amateur draft, in which the Cubs have the No. 6 pick.  "It's probably the most important thing that we're doing right now, to be honest," Epstein said.  "Therefore, it takes up the vast majority of our time.  Draft day is the most important day of the year for every organization.  It's a year-long process, and right now we're right in the sweet spot, finishing up evaluations, going back and getting final looks."

Epstein said they have around 10 players they are considering with their first pick.  "Some years there are six obvious guys," he said.  "This is not necessarily a year where there's a clear-cut top tier at the very, very top." 

Tomorrow night is the third annual Dempster Family Foundation Casino Night at the Palmer House Hilton.  For more details on the event, you can read my previous blog post here.  I will be volunteering at this amazing fundraiser and hope to see some of you there!