Cubs Breeze to Win Over Marlins

Sergio Mitre seemed to be the only pitcher who handled the windy conditions Tuesday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The Cubs backed Mitre’s five-hitter with 18 hits in a 14-0 victory over the Florida Marlins, their biggest margin of victory this season.

Marlin starter Josh Beckett (7-5) gave up four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings before being forced to leave because of a blister on his right middle finger -- a problem that has plagued him before.

Aramis Ramirez hit two home runs and drove in four runs. With the wind blowing out of Wrigley, the Cubs took advantage, ending a two-game stretch in which they were outscored, 17-2.

The Cubs had 10 extra-base hits, including Derrek Lee’s National League-leading 18th homer. Lee also had two doubles and a run-scoring single, driving in three runs to tie him for the NL lead with 56.

“It was a great day to hit,” Lee said. “The wind was blowing out pretty hard, so if you got it in the air you had a good chance today. It was definitely a great-hitting day, and that just shows how good Sergio pitched. It was a great day to be a sinkerballer too.”

Mitre (2-1), in his second callup from triple-A Iowa this season, had his second consecutive strong start, striking out three with no walks. He threw 99 pitches, 73 for strikes, in his first career complete game. He gave up two hits over seven shutout innings June 8 against Toronto.

INTERLEAGUE

St. Louis 7, Toronto 0 -- Chris Carpenter pitched a one-hitter against his former team, and Larry Walker homered twice to the lead the Cardinals at Toronto.

Carpenter (9-4) gave up only Russ Adams’ two-out double down the right-field line in the sixth.

Minnesota 4, San Francisco 3 -- Shannon Stewart’s two-out, run-scoring single in the 11th lifted the Twins to victory at Minneapolis.

Jesse Crain (6-0) worked a scoreless 11th to get the victory. The Giants have lost 15 of 17 games.

Arizona 10, Chicago White Sox 4 -- Troy Glaus homered and drove in four runs, Shawn Green hit a two-run shot and the Diamondbacks routed the American League’s best team for the second consecutive game at Chicago.

Seattle 3, Philadelphia 1 -- Gil Meche (6-4) pitched eight strong innings at Seattle to help the Mariners end the Phillies’ six-game winning streak.

Oakland 5, New York Mets 0 -- Rookie Joe Blanton (2-6) carried a perfect game into the fifth inning at Oakland, and Mark Ellis hit a two-run double for the Athletics.

Atlanta 7, Texas 2 -- Rookie Kelly Johnson hit his first major league homer, and 46-year-old Julio Franco also connected in a five-run fifth inning for the Braves at Arlington, Texas. Jorge Sosa (3-0) earned the victory.

Detroit 8, San Diego 4 -- Craig Monroe’s pop fly was misplayed for two runs in the sixth inning, lifting the Tigers over the Padres at Detroit.

Boston 7, Cincinnati 0 -- David Wells held the Reds hitless for 5 2/3 innings before leaving after seven innings of one-hit ball, and Manny Ramirez homered for the third consecutive game to lead the Red Sox at Boston.

New York Yankees 9, Pittsburgh 0 -- Mike Mussina pitched a five-hitter at New York, Hideki Matsui homered and the Yankees defeated the Pirates in the teams’ first meeting since Bill Mazeroski won the 1960 World Series for Pittsburgh with a ninth-inning homer in Game 7.

Milwaukee 4, Tampa Bay 0 -- Tomo Ohka (5-3) scattered nine hits in his first career shutout to lead the Brewers to victory at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Cleveland 11, Colorado 2 -- Jake Westbrook (3-9) was given rare run support, and the Indians opened their longest homestand this season with a victory over the Rockies.

Baltimore 6, Houston 1 -- Bruce Chen (6-4) gave up three hits over seven scoreless innings, Miguel Tejada hit his 18th homer and the Orioles beat Andy Pettitte (3-7) at Baltimore.