The Hits Just Keep On Coming for Cubs, 12-3

The hits came one after another for the Chicago Cubs, a seemingly endless barrage that defied logic.

There was the catcher beating out an infield single. A screamer that glanced off the pitcher’s glove. A three-run homer by Moises Alou hit so far that the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t even bother to chase it.

By the time the fourth-inning frenzy was over Thursday afternoon, the Cubs had nine consecutive hits and 11 overall, and were well on their way to a 12-3 rout of the Cardinals.

“You see everybody else getting hits and home runs, and you want to join in on the fun,” said Derrek Lee, who hit a two-run homer during the 10-run spurt and had another RBI.

The 11 hits in the fourth inning tied the club’s modern record for hits in an inning, and the nine in a row were one shy of the major-league mark. All but two of the hits came with two out.

“They had an edge because we had a starting pitcher go down, and they took advantage,” Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa said.

Did they ever. The Cubs finished with 15 hits. Todd Walker hit a solo homer, Aramis Ramirez was three for three with a walk and three runs scored, and Carlos Zambrano held the Cardinals to five hits to give the Cubs a split of the four-game series.

It was a tough return to the majors for Dan Haren, who was recalled from triple-A Memphis because Jason Marquis sat out his scheduled start because of back spasms.

Haren (0-1) gave up 10 hits and 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

“I liked my stuff, I just couldn’t get anything to work,” Haren said. “I just lost my focus that one inning. I couldn’t put the guys away when I needed.”

Ramirez and Todd Hollandsworth led off the fourth with singles, and Lee followed with a run-scoring groundout. Corey Patterson drew a walk before he was caught stealing, and it looked as if Haren might get out of the jam.

Not even close. The Cubs ran off nine consecutive hits before Ramon Martinez grounded out to end the inning.

“There was no doubt about it, hitting’s contagious,” Walker said.