ST. LOUIS – Ryan Dempster’s 33-inning scoreless streak was over after four at-bats. The unanticipated early cushion was plenty for Kyle Lohse.

Lohse worked seven strong innings with less than his best, and the St. Louis Cardinals’ slumbering offense opened with three quick runs against Dempster in a 4-1 victory over the Cubs on Friday night.

“You get behind the 8-ball really quick,” Dempster said. “After that, I feel like I settled down and made some pitches – other than Matt Holliday hitting one off the Arch.”