Zuba: Wood Spoils Dempster’s Gem

" (CBS) This could have been a pretty special start to the season for Ryan Dempster.

The veteran right-hander took the mound on Opening Day for the Cubs for the second-straight year, hoping to erase the memories of last year’s performance where he gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings.

And Dempster did just that — he was solid, tossing 7 2/3 innings of two-hit, one-run ball. The first hit came on his first pitch of the day, the second, a slow-rolling ground ball with one out in the seventh inning that fell just out of the reach of first baseman Jeff Baker.

After Dempster gave up his second hit of the game, he struck out Danny Espinosa before Kerry Wood came on to preserve the 1-0 lead.

Wood proceeded to walk three straight batters, walking in the tying run, and taking the win from Dempster.

“It was just one of those days,” Wood said after the game. “Ryan pitched great. He deserved a win. We deserved a win. I don’t think I had a three-ball count all spring and then I walk three guys in a row.”

Wood’s blunder only tied the game, though "

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