Loney grand slam lifts Dodgers past Cubs

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in the first game of their National League Division Series on Wednesday, powered by James Loney's fifth-inning grand slam.

Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster issued consecutive two-out walks to load the bases and visiting Dodgers first baseman Loney broke the game open with one swing of the bat as Los Angeles chased the Chicago starter in the fifth.

"He's so unpredictable," Dodgers manager Joe Torre told reporters of Loney after his team rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

"I've seen him have at-bats where he seems to be overmatched but yet comes up with the base hit."

Playoff-tested starter Derek Lowe went six innings for the Dodgers, struck out six and allowed just two runs and veteran Greg Maddux closed down things in the ninth.

Manny Ramirez added a solo shot in the seventh inning, his record 25th career post-season homer, Russell Martin had one in the ninth as Los Angeles tagged on a run in each of the final three innings.

Dempster struggled to find his location, walking seven batters for the Cubs, who entered the post-season with the National League's best regular-season record.

"It's just a loss," Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee said. "You don't want to go down 0-2. Tomorrow's (Thursday's) a huge game and we'll be ready."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)