Sosa’s Homer Helps Cubs Defeat Braves

Sammy Sosa wasn’t chosen as an All-Star, so he’s performing like one just before the break.

“I’m always playing like an All-Star,” Sosa said Saturday after his homer started the Chicago Cubs on a six-run fourth inning that led to a 7-3 win over Atlanta at Wrigley Field, stopping the Braves’ winning streak at eight games.

With one game left before the All-Star break, Sosa is on his biggest tear of the season. Since returning June 18 from a seven-game suspension for using a corked bat, Sosa has a .344 average, 12 homers and 23 RBIs.

His high drive barely made it over the left-field wall, giving him 18 homers this season and seven hits in his last seven at-bats.

Montreal 7, Florida 1 -- Livan Hernandez (9-6) pitched a three-hitter and Jose Vidro hit a three-run homer at Montreal.

A discount tickets and hot dogs promotion drew 28,170 to Olympic Stadium, the third-largest crowd in 29 games in Montreal this season.

The turnout was especially impressive considering the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League also drew more than 20,000 to downtown Molson Stadium for their home opener Saturday night.

Cincinnati 5, Milwaukee 1 -- Ken Griffey Jr. homered for the fifth consecutive game and Jimmy Haynes (2-9) pitched seven solid innings at Milwaukee.

Griffey’s solo homer in the eighth tied Johnny Bench’s franchise record set May 30-June 3, 1972. Griffey tied a major league record when he homered in eight consecutive games from July 20-28, 1993.

Haynes allowed four hits, including a leadoff home run to Eric Young, to win for the first time in five decisions.

Pittsburgh 5, Houston 2 -- Kip Wells (3-4) won for the first time since May 31, and Brian Giles and Aramis Ramirez each drove in two runs to help the Pirates win in Houston for the first time since last July 16, ending a losing streak at nine at Minute Maid Park.

St. Louis 9, San Diego 7 -- Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning. J.D. Drew led off with an infield single and Pujols hit a 1-0 pitch from Matt Herges (2-2) into the left-field bullpen for his 27th homer of the season and his first career game-winning homer.

Philadelphia 4, New York 2 -- Placido Polanco’s sacrifice fly scored Jason Michaels with the go-ahead run in the 11th inning at Shea Stadium, giving the Phillies their fifth consecutive victory. The Mets have lost six in a row since a three-game sweep in Cincinnati last weekend.