Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

PITTSBURGH (AP) In the midst of a disappointing season, the Chicago Cubs started a game like no team has in almost two decades.

Best foot forward: New York's Hideki Matsui reacts after striking out against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. AP PHOTO

Aramis Ramirez, Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome had two-run hits in a record-tying first inning and the Cubs handed the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates their 11th loss in 12 games, 9-4 on Tuesday night.

Chicago tied a major league record with eight consecutive hits to start the game. The most recent team to do that was the New York Yankees, on Sept. 25, 1990 against the Baltimore Orioles.

"We came out swinging the bats," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "Base hits, base hits, base hits"

Micah Hoffpauir hit his ninth homer and Jeff Baker went 3-for-4 with a walk for the Cubs, who have won three of four in their quest to stay in the NL wild card race.

Garrett Jones hit his 19th homer for the Pirates, who are 18-42 since July 1. They established a record among major North American professional sports teams by clinching their 17th straight losing season Monday.

Arnold Palmer, a native of Latrobe, Pa., was honored in an elaborate pregame ceremony celebrating his 80th birthday. Before he could get to his seat the Cubs had scored six runs before an out was even recorded.

"I've never really seen anything like that, but it happened," Pirates manager John Russell said. "It was just one of those things where we couldn't stop it. You can't explain it. It was just bad luck or good hitting, I don't know what it is."

Fukudome finished 1-for-4 in the win.

Phillies 5, Nationals 3

In Washington, the Phillies hit five solo home runs — including three in the seventh inning — and became the 12th team in major league history with a 30-homer foursome.

Raul Ibanez went long for the 29th and 30th times this season and Chase Utley hit No. 30, joining Ryan Howard (38) and Jayson Werth in Philadelphia's 30-homer club.

Cardinals 4, Brewers 3

In Milwaukee, Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer off Trevor Hoffman in the top of the ninth for St. Louis.

Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 4

In Phoenix, Ronnie Belliard hit the last of Los Angeles' five two-out singles in the eighth inning to breaking the game's final tie.

Padres 4, Giants 3

In San Francisco, Chase Headley homered and singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Padres spoiled an impressive major league debut by Giants starter Madison Bumgarner.

Rockies 3, Reds 1

In Denver, Jason Marquis scattered four hits over 7 1/3 innings and Eric Young Jr. hit his first major league homer for Colorado.

Braves 2, Astros 1

In Houston, Javier Vazquez struck out nine in seven shutout innings and Atlanta snapped a five-game losing streak.

Kazuo Matsui went hitless in three at-bats for the Astros.

Marlins 4, Mets 2

In New York, Hanley Ramirez and Cameron Maybin hit long two-run homers as Florida kept up its surprising playoff push.

Red Sox 10, Orioles 0

In Boston, Clay Buchholz pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, and Dustin Pedroia hit two of the Red Sox's season-high six homers.

Yankees 3, Rays 2

In New York, Nick Swisher hit his second home run of the game, connecting with one out in the ninth inning, and the Yankees sent Tampa Bay to its season-high seventh straight loss.

New York's Hideki Matsui struck out in an appearance as a pinch hitter, while Tampa Bay's Akinori Iwamura finished 1-for-3.

Angels 3, Mariners 2 (10)

In Anaheim, Calif., Erick Aybar's two-out single drove home Bobby Abreu in the 10th inning, and Los Angeles overcame All-Star closer Brian Fuentes' latest blown save.

Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki was hitless in five at-bats.

Blue Jays 6, Twins 3

In Toronto, John McDonald hit a three-run homer to key the Blue Jays' six-run sixth inning.

Royals 7, Tigers 5

In Kansas City, Billy Butler drove in two runs and the Royals' bullpen pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings to end Detroit's six-game winning streak.

Athletics 11, White Sox 3

In Chicago, Jack Cust hit a three-run homer and Mark Ellis followed with a solo shot in Oakland's five-run first inning.

Rangers 11, Indians 9 (1st)

Rangers 10, Indians 5 (2nd)

In Cleveland, rookie Julio Borbon homered twice in the first game and Marlon Byrd had seven hits in Texas' doubleheader sweep.

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