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(AP) - Ryan Dempster further raised his trade value with eight shutout innings, pitching the Chicago Cubs past the Minnesota Twins 8-2 Sunday.

After an 18-start winless streak dating to Aug. 11, Dempster (2-3) won his second game this week, another gem for this Cubs team that began the day with the worst record in the majors.

He allowed four singles, walked one, hit a batter and struck out six, three by Joe Mauer, to help the Cubs win for the fifth time in their last 25 games.

Dempster lowered his ERA to 2.31, and the Twins lost for just the third time in 12 games.

Alfonso Soriano hit a two-out double in the first inning that drove in the first run against Francisco Liriano (1-7).

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)