MESA, Ariz. (AP) -Despite giving up a pair of home runs, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster was more than happy with his outing in Thursday's 9-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

The Cubs won the game in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Andres Blanco.

Dempster, the Cubs' No. 2 starter behind Carlos Zambrano, pitched four innings. He gave up five hits and three runs while walking none and striking out seven. He allowed home runs to Shin-Soo Choo in the first inning and pinch-hitter Andy Marte in the second.

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``I gave up a couple home runs, but that's as good as I've thrown the ball all spring,' Dempster said. ``It's a nice way to end up and go into the regular season.'

Dempster was 17-6 last year. He signed a four-year contract with the Cubs this offseason.

Anthony Reyes, the Indians' No. 5 starter, just two innings, giving up five hits and seven runs. H made his third start and fifth appearance overall of the spring.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first on Choo's first home run of the spring.

Alfonso Soriano led off the Cubs' first with his fifth homer, an opposite-field drive to right.

The Cubs scored six runs in the second, highlighted by Koyie Hill's bases-loaded triple. He won the backup catcher's job this week.

Marte hit a two-run homer off Dempster in the third. Ryan Garko hit a two-run homer off Cubs reliever Chad Gaudin in the fifth.