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Pie hits for cycle; Orioles beat Angels 16-6

Aug 15, 2009 - 3:33 AM By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer

BALTIMORE(AP) -- Felix Pie became the fourth player in Baltimore Orioles history to hit for the cycle, then got two pies in the face from his teammates during the postgame television interview.

It was an emotional Friday night for the seldom-used outfielder, who later apologized for celebrating the rare feat a bit too vigorously.

With Pie (pronounced pee-AY) leading the way, the Orioles tied club records for extra-base hits and doubles in a 16-6 rout of the Los Angeles Angels.

Pie doubled in the first inning, homered in the third, then rounded out the feat during a seven-run seventh. He opened the inning by beating out an infield single, then tripled to the gap in right-center to reach a career high for hits in a game.

"I didn't know I hit for the cycle," Pie said. "(Third base coach) Juan Samuel tells me and I say, 'Wow. Really?' It's exciting, you know."

Pie lifted his arm in triumph and waved to the cheering fans from third base. But his enthusiasm was blunted when he looked at Angels manager Mike Scioscia staring from the dugout.

"It's a special time for me but I'm sad because I showed too much emotion on the field," Pie said. "I apologize to Mike Scioscia and the players on the other team. It's part of the game, emotion, but I showed too much."

During his postgame session with reporters, Scioscia made no mention of Pie's display, which continued when he reached the dugout after the seventh.

Pie came in hitting .234 and batted eighth in the lineup for his 37th start of the season.

"It probably makes him feel real good because he's put in a lot of hard work," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "And he's turned the corner as far as being a professional and being accepted in the clubhouse."

That was evident when Adam Jones, then Robert Andino, planted shaving cream pies in the outfielder's face.

It was the seventh cycle in the majors this season and the second this week. Troy Tulowitzki of Colorado did it Monday night against the Chicago Cubs.

Pie joins Brooks Robinson (1960), Cal Ripken Jr. (1984) and Aubrey Huff (2007) as the only Orioles to hit for the cycle.

"That leaves him in pretty special company," Trembley said.

Baltimore finished with 12 extra-base hits, tying the mark set last year against Detroit. The Orioles' nine doubles matched the club record set on July 30, 1996, against Minnesota.

"You don't expect Anaheim to come to town and we score 16 runs, that's for sure," said Brian Roberts, who had two of his four hits in Baltimore's six-run first inning. "But we all know when it starts to roll, it just happens like that."

The offensive display began against one of the hottest pitchers in the AL, Jered Weaver.

Weaver (12-4) gave up nine hits and four walks in 3 1-3 innings, his shortest outing since July 2008, against Cleveland. The only other time he gave up eight runs in a game was against Kansas City on May 7, 2008.

"There's always going to be the occasional game like this. Weav's really been throwing the ball well for us," Scioscia said. "It obviously wasn't pretty, but we'll move forward."

Weaver was 5-0 in nine starts since June 20 and was 9-1 since May 17. But the right-hander struggled against a Baltimore team that had totaled 10 runs in its last four games and had scored in double figures only twice since July 7.

"Those guys came out swinging. I didn't have command very much, fell behind, and we fell behind," Weaver said. "Our offense did a great job getting some runs, but you've got to tip your hats when needed. Those guys did a great job of swinging the bats."

Pie had four RBIs to help the Orioles to only their eighth win in 27 games since the All-Star break. Cesar Izturis had three hits and three RBIs.

Rookie Chris Tillman (1-0) earned his first major league win, allowing seven hits and three earned runs in 6 2-3 innings.

Los Angeles took a 2-0 in a first inning that featured a decidedly unusual play. With two outs and runners on first and second, Vladimir Guerrero swung at a pitch that had already bounced in front of the plate. He lifted a bloop to left-center that dropped in, and a run scored when Pie's throw toward second base rolled to the wall.

NOTES: Baltimore's Nick Markakis reached base in a 34th straight game, tying a personal high. ... Weaver's ERA went from 3.73 to 4.12.