McGwire Hits 54th; Sosa Gets His 52nd

Mark McGwire had a 509-foot answer for Sammy Sosa’s 52nd homer Wednesday night, and a reason for Cardinal fans to go home happy.

No, not from the game, won by Florida, 7-6, in 10 innings at St. Louis.

From McGwire’s 54th homer, a two-run shot that moved him closer to Roger Maris’ record.

The fans’ pleasure didn’t do much for McGwire’s disposition after the Cardinals blew a six-run ninth-inning lead, then lost in the 10th on Randy Knorr’s RBI double off Juan Acevedo (6-3). St. Louis has blown 29 saves and has lost eight games when leading after eight innings.

But McGwire understands the situation with a 62-70 team that is going nowhere.

“I know what America is watching,” McGwire said.

“They’re not watching the Cardinals, they’re watching me.”

He was watching Sosa--”The TV’s on in the clubhouse. How can you not?”--but said it didn’t give him extra incentive.

“I can only take care of myself,” McGwire said.

“Let’s just have fun watching till the end of the season.”

McGwire is only the third player in NL history to hit 54 homers and the first in 49 years. Ralph Kiner hit 54 homers in 1949 and Hack Wilson hit a league record 56 in 1930.

At least one Marlin wasn’t envious.

“I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes day in and day out,” Kevin Orie said. “Personally, I wouldn’t like all that attention. It takes a special person to handle it.”

Sosa is handling it, too.

His 52nd homer was a towering shot off a far-away advertising panel in left-center field, and provided a couple of memorable touches in a 9-2 Chicago win at Cincinnati.

Sosa’s third-inning homer hit the facing of the third deck in left-center some 438 feet away.

When Sosa broke his bat--not the one he used for the home run--in the ninth inning, he handed it to a young fan behind the Cub dugout.

While Sosa got the notice, Kerry Wood (12-6) got his first victory since July 31 by striking out 16 in eight innings.

San Diego 2, Philadelphia 0--Joey Hamilton (11-11) walked a tightrope, pitched seven innings and dealt with a Phillie runner on base in each, and Steve Finley homered for the Padres, who won at Philadelphia.

Atlanta 6, Houston 2--John Smoltz (13-2) won his eighth decision in a row and Javy Lopez hit a two-run homer, leading the Braves to a win at Houston and ending the Astros’ five-game winning streak.

Milwaukee 6, Colorado 5--Bill Pulsipher (2-1) pitched six shutout innings, Jeff Cirillo hit a solo home run and Phil Garner earned his 500th victory as a major league manager in the Brewers’ win at Denver.

Pittsburgh 4, Arizona 3--Light-hitting Kevin Polcovich drove in three runs at Phoenix and the Pirates won their ninth game in a row.