Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Geovany Soto belted a pair of three-run homers, and the Chicago Cubs clobbered the Milwaukee Brewers, 19-5, at Wrigley Field.
After dropping the opener of the three-game set, 10-7, on Tuesday, the Cubs responded by notching a season-high 19 runs on 17 hits, led by Soto's career- high six-RBI effort. Aramis Ramirez and Ronny Cedeno -- who didn't even enter the contest until the sixth inning -- knocked in three runs apiece, and Mark DeRosa went 2-for-3 with three walks, three runs scored and two RBI. Ryan Theriot stole a base and scored three runs for Chicago, which had lost four of five before busting out for at least five runs in three different innings on Wednesday.
The 19 runs were the most for the Cubs in a single game since May 5, 2001, when they pounded the Los Angeles Dodgers, 20-1.
"Everyone on the team swung it tonight," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "It's good to see. It's been a good offensive month.
Ryan Dempster (4-0) garnered plenty of run support to earn the win for the Cubs -- his second of the season against the Brewers -- tossing six innings and giving up three runs on four hits and five walks.
Meanwhile, Jeff Suppan (1-1) struggled through 3 2/3 innings for Milwaukee, surrendering 11 runs -- eight earned -- on 11 hits and one walk. Derrick Turnbow allowed another six runs on four hits and four walks in just two- thirds of an inning in relief.
"It was a tough game," Suppan said. "The Cubs were on the attack and I kept missing down the middle. I tried to keep us in the game, and I did not do that."
Ryan Braun batted 2-for-3 with a double and three runs batted in for the Brewers, who had won three of four matchups with the Cubs this season. Mike Rivera launched his first home run of the season -- a two-run shot -- and Rickie Weeks went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and three runs scored.
The Cubs exploded out of the gate, racking up six runs in the home half of the first frame, and they never looked back. Derrek Lee commenced the onslaught with a double to left that brought Reed Johnson home and moved Theriot to third, and Ramirez followed with a bases-clearing double. After DeRosa walked, Soto smashed the second pitch he saw over the wall in left, and Chicago jumped out to a 6-0 lead.
"I see the ball good here. It's not really the ball park," Soto said. "I just try to make adjustments and work on my stroke everyday."
Milwaukee got on the board in the third, when Braun's base hit plated Weeks, but the Brewers still faced a daunting 6-1 deficit.
DeRosa restored the Cubs' six-run advantage in the bottom half of the inning with a single to right that scored Kosuke Fukudome, who had started the stanza with a double.
Chicago continued to torch Suppan in the fourth, eventually chasing him out of the affair and putting the game well out of reach. Ramirez reached base safely due to Bill Hall's fielding error, and Theriot crossed the plate on the play. After a Fukudome fielder's choice left runners on the corners, DeRosa knocked in Lee with a single to center, and that would be all for Suppan.
Brian Shouse took the mound, and he was greeted by Soto, who slammed his second three-run homer of the night, again clearing the fence in left. By the time Shouse sat down Felix Pie, the Cubs had built a comfortable 12-1 cushion.
The Brewers added a pair of runs in the fifth on Braun's two-out double deep into the left-center field gap, and scored twice again in the seventh when Rivera rocketed a home run to left with Weeks on second.
Fukudome provided another Cubs run in the sixth with a base hit to right that brought around Cedeno. The scoring was finally capped in the eighth, when Chicago put up five more runs. Matt Murton singled home DeRosa and Theriot drew a bases-loaded walk that enabled Mike Fontenot to cross the plate. Cedeno then proceeded to empty the bags with a double deep into right field, and Daryle Ward followed with another double, as Cedeno trotted home.
Game Notes
Carlos Zambrano (4-1) toes the rubber for Chicago in Thursday's finale, while Milwaukee counters with Yovani Gallardo (0-0)..The Cubs have scored in double-digits five games this season, while Tuesday's 10 runs allowed was the only game an opponent reached double-figures..Suppan's lone win of the year came in his season debut, against Chicago. He posted four straight no- decisions before taking the loss on Wednesday..Milwaukee's Prince Fielder picked up his first career hit off Dempster when he singled to lead off the second. Fielder was hitless in six at-bats against the veteran righty..Dempster improved to 6-2 lifetime against the Brewers, while Suppan dropped to 6-7 versus the Cubs..Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, a longtime Cubs fan and prospective owner, was at the game the same day he fired his head coach.