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Sosa, Sammy

Cubs Struggle to Find Form as Sosa Falls Behind McGwire in Home Run Chase

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A day of celebration dedicated to Sammy Sosa's home run chase quickly turned sour as the Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds, dealing a blow to their wild-card playoff hopes. With Sosa failing for the fourth straight game to hit a home run, the team fell a game behind the Mets in the National League playoff standings. Meanwhile, Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals inched closer to the season home run lead with his 65th home run.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sammy Sosa went 0 for 5 in the Cubs' 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, extending his streak of failures to hit a home run to four games.
  • The loss dropped the Cubs to a game behind the Mets in the wild-card playoff standings, with both teams having five games remaining in the season.
  • Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hit his 65th home run of the season, moving closer to the top of the home run chase.
  • Bret Boone, the Reds' second baseman, drove in six runs on three home runs, including the decisive hit that the umpires ruled as a home run.
  • The Cubs' starter, Kevin Tapani, gave up five runs, including two of Boone's home runs, after a 64-minute rain delay in the third inning.
  • Sosa said that increased attention from friends and fans from the Dominican Republic may have caused him to swing for the fences, but denied that intense media pressure was affecting him.
  • Sosa is now 0 for his last 17 at-bats, with six strikeouts, and has not hit a home run since his grand slam on September 18.

Statistics:

  • The Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 7-3.
  • Bret Boone drove in six runs on three home runs against the Cubs.
  • Kevin Tapani gave up five runs in two innings of work against the Reds.
  • Sammy Sosa went 0 for 5 in the loss, extending his streak of failures to hit a home run to four games.
  • The Cubs are now 81-71, a game behind the Mets in the wild-card playoff standings.
  • Mark McGwire has hit 65 home runs for the season, moving closer to the top of the home run chase.

Sources:

  • "Today was just one of those days," Tapani said. (Source: New York Times)
  • "I was probably trying to do too much," Sosa said. "But they also pitched me really well." (Source: Chicago Tribune)
  • The pre-game celebration at Wrigley Field included presentations of a trophy, a painting, and a new car to Sosa. (Source: USA Today)
  • The game was attended by Commissioner Bud Selig, Juan Marichal, and the Cub legend Ernie Banks. (Source: Chicago Sun-Times)

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