MLB: Chicago Cubs 9, Washington 2

CHICAGO, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Aramis Ramirez's two three-run homers powered Saturday the Chicago Cubs' 9-2 win over the Washington Nationals.

The first homer gave Chicago a 4-0 lead with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning and the second upped the lead to the final score with no outs in the eighth.

Mark DeRosa hit his career-high 17th homer, a solo shot with two outs in the sixth.

Both Ramirez and Ryan Theriot had three hits to lead a 13-hit attack for the National League Central-leading Cubs, who had lost three of their previous four games against Washington this season.

Winner Ryan Dempster (15-5) surrendered an earned run and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Washington scored on Anderson Hernandez's seventh-inning single and Emilio Bonifacio's ninth-inning sacrifice fly.

Ryan Zimmerman had three hits and Bonifacio two in the Nationals' 13th loss in their last 14 games.

The losing pitcher was starter Odalis Perez (5-10).