Sammy Sosa hits a bases-loaded double. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Sammy Sosa doesn't care that he's gone two weeks without a homer. He's getting hits, hustling around the bases and playing a redefined role in the Chicago Cubs' best streak since 1998.

        Sosa drove in four runs with a sacrifice fly and a bases-loaded double Tuesday night as the Cubs won their ninth in a row, 10-5 over the Reds.

        “I'm playing different baseball,” said Sosa, who has 14 homers, none during the streak. “A walk, a base hit — anything I can get to help the team. I'm going to continue with that, not think about home runs. Those are going to be there. When I hit them, I hit them in bunches. My situation is different right now.”

        The Cubs' situation has improved dramatically in the last 10 days.

        They're in first place alone in the NL Central and savoring their longest winning streak since they took 10 in a row in 1998. They've been winning with pitching (a 2.33 ERA during the streak) and defense, a combination that's more effective than one guy hitting 60-some homers.

        “That's just the way it's working for us,” said Jason Bere (4-2), who went seven innings for his first win since April 18. “If that's the strength of this team right now, so be it. You'll find that any time you're playing in October, it's because of pitching and defense.”

        Cubs Notes: The Cubs improved to 30-20, the first time this season that they've been 10 games over .500. ... Chicago has 30 wins before June 1 for the third time in franchise history. ... Sosa is 3-for-5 with the bases loaded this season with 12 RBIs and one homer.

Cubs 10, Reds 5 Bowden says Griffey was misdiagnosed Casey, Reyes hurting Oester glad to see Perez back on field Cubs keep winning without Sosa homers Reds box, runs

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