Sammy Sosa watches his two-run home run take flight in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros Monday. The homer was Sosa's major league-leading 40th of the season and No. 490 of his career. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        CHICAGO — Sammy Sosa keeps putting up big numbers. Sosa hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning Monday night, the third straight day he's connected for the Chicago Cubs.

        The homer, his major league-leading 40th of the season and No. 490 of his career, came against Houston.

        Sosa's shot gave him 16 RBIs in three games. He set an NL record with 14 RBIs in consecutive games, accomplishing the feat Saturday and Sunday in Colorado.

        Sosa became just the third player in NL history to have five consecutive 40-homer seasons. Hall of Famers Ralph Kiner (1947-51) and Duke Snider (1953-57) also did it.

        Cubs fans gave Sosa a standing ovation after his homer, continuing to applaud until he popped out of the dugout for a curtain call.

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