Monday, September 16, 2002
Sosa celebrates RBI milestone
The Associated Press
Sammy Sosa couldn't have picked a better time to make up for his missed opportunities.
Sosa snapped a scoreless tie and joined an exclusive club, driving in his 100th RBI of the season with a three-run homer in the eighth inning, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 6-0 win over the Reds on Sunday.
Sosa's 421-foot shot off Scott Sullivan (6-5) gave Carlos Zambrano (4-7) his second win since July 15 and the Cubs a split of the four-game series.
The homer, his 46th, gave Sosa his first RBIs since Wednesday and allowed him to join Hall of Famers Mel Ott and Willie Mays as the only National League players to record eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons.
“I feel great,” Sosa said. “It's something that it's not time yet to celebrate. We're having a tough year. We have to keep going. I'm happy if I finish the season strong.”
Bobby Hill hit another three-run homer in the top of the ninth, set up when Reggie Taylor dropped Joe Girardi's flyball in center and Todd Hundley singled.
Zambrano, 1-6 with three no-decisions in 10 starts since July 15, limited the Reds to one hit — Barry Larkin's first-inning double, his career-high 35th — and two walks in the first four innings.
“I was feeling good today,” Zambrano said. “Everything was in command. My sinker was good, and my splitter was good. I have to mix them in.”
“He showed a lot,” Cubs interim manager Bruce Kimm said of Zambrano. “He got into trouble a couple of times, but he kept his composure.”
Zambrano struck out eight in seven innings, matching his second-highest total of the season. He set his career high with 10 on July 20 against Houston.
“That guy was tough,” said Reds starter Danny Graves. “He had great stuff. He had a really good sinker today.”
Notes: Mark Bellhorn extended his hitting streak to six games with a second-inning single ... Alex Gonzalez snapped a 0-for-7 slump with hits in each of his first two at-bats.
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Sosa celebrates RBI milestone
