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 "The Red Sox obviously were world champs last year. We knew what
we were coming into," third baseman Mike Olt said after hitting one
of his team's four home runs in a 16-9 victory Wednesday night that
capped the sweep. "It's nice to come in here and sweep the series.
"For us, I think it gives us confidence going into the All-Star
break."
After winning low-scoring games Monday and Tuesday nights and
managing only six runs in their previous four games, the Cubs
(37-46) broke loose Wednesday, collecting 19 hits in improving to
24-19 over the past 43 games.
The sweep was the Cubs' first three-gamer in interleague play since
2009 and their first on the road since 2007. The series win at
Fenway, secured when Tuesday's 2-1 decision followed Monday's 2-0
win, was their first since 1915.
"It's fun to take this series the way we did," said second baseman
Darwin Barney, who began Wednesday's game batting .196 but stroked
four hits, scored twice and drove in a run on what he called a
memorable personal night.
 "Obviously our pitching has been good. If we give them a little more
run support, they'll be a lot better."
Center fielder Justin Ruggiano, catcher Welington Castillo and right
fielder Nate Schierholtz also homered for the Cubs.
Ruggiano, who came in with 10 RBIs for the season, drove in five and
had three hits in the onslaught that was capped by a six-run ninth
inning.
The Red Sox, matching their low point by falling nine games below
.500 (38-47), had not allowed more than three runs in any of their
previous 14 home games. The sweep came after the optimism of winning
the last two games of a weekend series against the Yankees in New
York.
Two of the homers came off Boston starter Brandon Workman (1-2), who
gave up three runs before getting an out and six over four innings
in the marathon game that ran 4 hours, 19 minutes.
"It was a rough night from the mound," said Boston manager John
Farrell, who continues to have faith in his players and knows the
American League East looks like a scramble. "Starting off, Brandon
had a difficult time getting the ball down in the strike zone."
Said Workman: "I just wasn't sharp enough tonight."
Everyone in the Chicago lineup had at least one hit and one run.
Olt, Schierholtz, designated hitter Luis Valbuena, shortstop Starlin
Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo collected two hits apiece.
Castillo, Schierholtz, Olt and left fielder Chris Coghlan each drove
in two runs.
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Right-hander Carlos Villanueva (4-5) worked two innings in relief of
starter Travis Wood for the win. Wood lasted just 3 2/3 innings.
Boston rookie outfielder Mookie Betts, playing in his fourth big
league game, hit his first major league homer, a two-run shot.
The Red Sox stranded nine runners in the first four innings (14 for
the game).
Designated hitter David Ortiz had two ground-rule doubles and a
sacrifice fly, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and right fielder Brock
Holt both stroked three hits, and first baseman Mike Napoli had two
hits, two walks and an RBI for Boston.
Left fielder Jonny Gomes drove in two runs, and pinch hitter Daniel
Nava came through with a two-run single in the three-run ninth.
Boston finished with 16 hits.
NOTES: The 16 runs and 19 hits were not season highs for the Cubs,
who had 17 runs and 20 hits May 12 at St. Louis. ... Boston DH David
Ortiz had two ground-rule doubles, the first making him the 36th
player with 1,000 career extra base hits. ... Redsox.com reported
the team signed two international pitching prospects -- 16-year-old
Christopher Acosta and Anderson Espinoza. ... RHP Jason Hammel opens
the Cubs' three-game series against the Nationals in Washington on
Friday. Hammel is 7-0 with a 3.12 ERA lifetime against the Nats. ...
Weather threatens the Red Sox's matinee against the Baltimore
Orioles on Friday. LHP Jon Lester will be looking for his 10th win
of the season. ... Red Soxe RF Shane Victorino shagged flies before
the game and will do it again Friday. He has been out since May 24
with hamstring and back problems.
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