Lee’s blast helps sink Bucs, 13-1

Power-hitting Derrek Lee blasted his seventh homer of the year for the Cubs.

CHICAGO (AP) — Derrek Lee’s already three months ahead of his home run pace of last season. So what’s the deal?

Now that the power has returned to his swing, everybody wants to know what the difference is with the Chicago Cubs star.

Lee hit 22 homers last season — only six before the All-Star break — and batted .317. But he was often asked why the long ball was missing and if his broken wrist from 2006 was hampering his ability to go deep. He had 46 homers in 2005.

“I was happy with my season last year. I felt I was a very productive hitter and the home runs just weren’t there and people asked me have I changed,” Lee said Saturday after hitting his seventh homer to help the Chicago Cubs rout the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-1.

“I didn’t want to change because I thought I was OK last year and this year the ball is just getting up over the fence. ... I’m just getting the ball in the air this year. Last year it just didn’t happen for me.”

Lee’s first-inning two-run homer — he didn’t hit No. 7 last season until July 15 — got the Cubs started Saturday as they made it easy for Jason Marquis to get his first win of the season.

Daryle Ward, who came into the game in the sixth because Lee had a stiff neck, homered for his first hit of the season and the Cubs beat the Pirates for the eighth straight time, including five in a row this season.

Marquis (1-0) won for the first time since last Sept. 16, allowing a run and six hits while striking out seven.

Marquis helped himself with an RBI double.

“I work hard at it. It feels nice to contribute both ways,” Marquis said.

Chicago took a 7-0 lead after three innings, roughing up Tom Gorzelanny (1-2) for the second time this season. The Cubs took advantage of the Pirates’ wildness, drawing 10 walks.

“I’ve been rushing and trying to overthrow a lot of pitches. That’s what happens when the ball gets lifted and they made contact,” Gorzelanny said. “If I keep the ball down, they hit it on the ground. If I get the ball up high, they put it in the air.”

Nate McLouth provided Pittsburgh’s highlight, extending his hitting streak to 17 games with a fifth-inning double. He has gotten a hit in every Pirates game this season, and scored their run on a double by Freddy Sanchez.