Orioles 11, Cubs 4
By Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 27, 2008
CHICAGO, June 26 -- Before the Internet, before "SportsCenter," before real-time text updates, passersby coming home from work needed only to glance at the flag flying atop the center field scoreboard to learn if the Chicago Cubs had won or lost at Wrigley Field that day.
The tradition began in the 1930s and continues today -- a "W" flag signifying a win, an "L" for a loss -- just another one of the antique charms of the "friendly confines." And during this special season on the North Side, exactly 100 years since the Cubs last claimed the world championship, the "W" has been a far more regular fixture atop the flagpole.
The Orioles, however, provided rush-hour commuters whizzing by on the Red Line a rare sight Thursday afternoon. For only the 10th time this year and the second time in three days, a blue flag with a white "L" flew high above the bricks and ivy, evidence of Baltimore's 11-4 victory.
The Orioles rolled before 41,670, using a powerful offensive attack to win the decisive game of the three-game set. The Orioles joined the Milwaukee Brewers as the only teams to take a home series from the Cubs.
"Two out of three here is a tough gig," said Orioles President Andy MacPhail, who should know -- he spent a dozen years as the Cubs' president. MacPhail, Manager Dave Trembley, pitching coach Rick Kranitz and bullpen coach Alan Dunn, the four men who are now helping to guide the future of the Orioles, have more than 50 years experience combined working for the Cubs.
Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts, nearly traded here in the offseason, spent the series trying to make the Cubs regret not completing the deal. He finished 6 for 14 with two doubles, a triple and four runs.
"We're capable of winning anywhere at any time," Roberts said.
As the season nears its halfway point, these Orioles have established themselves as more resilient, and perhaps more competitive, than they ever were last year. The victory Thursday gave Baltimore its 40th win of the season, which didn't come last year until July 14. Also, with the win against the Cubs, no matter what they do in a three-game series starting Friday against the Washington Nationals, the Orioles already have clinched just their third winning interleague season since 1997 and first since 1999.
"That's just kind of where we're at as a team," said Orioles outfielder Jay Payton, who knocked in a team-high three runs Thursday. "I don't care who we're playing right now. We just feel like we have a chance to beat anybody we're playing. We're playing well. It doesn't matter if we're playing the Cubs or whoever. We just feel like we have a chance to win."
That confidence comes from a season-long penchant for coming from behind, or for winning close games. But against the best home team in the National League, the Orioles avoided such theatrics.
Baltimore scored five runs in the third inning, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth. By that point, the Orioles' lead had ballooned so large that Cubs Manager Lou Piniella already had begun pulling his regulars from the game.
The timing couldn't have worked out better. The outburst staked young starter Radhamés Liz to a big lead, making it easier for him to pitch into the sixth, which made it easier for the Orioles to ease up on a bullpen that recently bordered on overworked.
"Today was actually one of the most relaxing wins we've had all year," said Aubrey Huff, who finished with four hits, including three doubles, while playing third base during the rout. "Definitely one of the most satisfying series that we've played this year."
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