Chicago — Sergio Mitre seemed to be the only pitcher who handled the windy conditions Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs backed Mitre's five-hitter with 18 hits in a 14-0 victory over the Florida Marlins on Tuesday night - Chicago's biggest margin of victory this season.
Marlins starter Josh Beckett (7-5) allowed four runs and six hits in 51â3 innings before being forced to leave because of a blister on his right middle finger - a problem that has plagued him in his career.
Beckett, the 2003 World Series MVP, has been on the disabled list seven times, five because of blisters on the middle finger of his pitching hand. He has tried numerous remedies for the recurring problem.
"I guess it's in the same place as it was in the past, but it's not as big," Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley said. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see how long it takes him."
Aramis Ramirez hit two home runs and drove in four runs. With the wind blowing hard out of Wrigley Field, 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 NL-leading 18th homer. Lee also had two doubles and a run-scoring single, driving in three runs.
"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."
Michael Barrett hit his eighth homer, a three-run shot in the eighth, then Jerry Hairston had an RBI triple and Lee doubled him home. The Wrigley Field crowd chanted "MVP!" after Lee just missed hitting for the cycle.
"It's a good feeling," Lee said. "They're appreciate what you're doing and they're showing their support. It's a great feeling and it psyches you up a little bit."
Mitre, in his second callup from Triple-A Iowa this season, had his second straight strong start, striking out three with no walks. He threw just 99 pitches, 73 for strikes.
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