The Cubs defeated the Brewers, playing their first game since firing Manager Ned Yost, on Tuesday night, 5-4, as they inched closer to clinching the NL Central Title. Ryan Dempster pitched six innings, allowing two runs as he struck out nine batters. CC Sabathia struggled, allowing four runs in five innings of work. Amaris Ramirez gave Chicago a 3-0 lead with a two-run single in the third inning, but Prince Fielder smacked a two-run home run in the sixth to trim the lead to 3-2. Alfonso Soriano answered with a solo shot to push to lead to 4-2, but Fielder answered with another homer to cut the lead to one once again. After Henry Blanco singled in another run, Chicago's lead stood at 5-3 heading into the top of the ninth inning. Closer Kerry Wood then made things interesting by allowing Milwaukee's Ray Durham to double home Alcides Escobar to trim the lead to one for a third time. Ryan Braun then reached on an infield single to put two men on with two out, but Fielder struck out to end the game. Remarkably, the loss was Sabathia's first since joining the Brewers in July. The Cubs' magic number to clinch the division title is now just four as they hold a nine-game lead over the Brewers. The two teams will play on Wednesday and Thursday, meaning that a sweep could clinch the NL Central Title for Chicago. The Brewers trail the Mets by a half-game in the Wild Card race.