Sosa Hits 62nd Home Run After Wife Is Hospitalized in Chicago

PHILADELPHIA — After Sammy Sosa hit his 62nd home run Tuesday night to retake the major league lead and help the Chicago Cubs to an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, it marked the end of an emotional day.

Sosa’s wife, Sonia, was admitted to a Chicago hospital Tuesday with an illness linked to her prescription drugs.

Sosa said he spoke with her twice, including just before he left his hotel for the ballpark. He said she told him not to leave the team.

“She said, ‘Go out there. I’m OK now. Do your job and don’t worry about me,’ ” Sosa said.

“It’s a scary moment for anybody. I love my wife. It’s a tough moment.

The emotions were much different than last season when he got three curtain calls and was carried off the field after hitting No. 62--and becoming the second player to pass Roger Maris’ once-thought-to-be-unreachable total of 61--at Wrigley Field.

About 10,000 fans were in the stands at Veterans Stadium to see Sosa break his current tie with Mark McGwire.

“If a lot of people don’t show up, I don’t worry about that,” said Sosa.

Sosa was 0 for nine--and eight for 40 in his previous 11 games--when he hit a two-run shot against rookie Anthony Shumaker in the ninth inning.

Sosa tied McGwire for the second-highest homer total in consecutive seasons, 128. McGwire, still at 61 home runs after St. Louis’ game was rained out against San Diego, has the record with 131 homers the past two seasons.

McGwire also had 128 from 1997-98.

Steve Trachsel (8-17), who leads the majors in losses, pitched his fourth complete game and won for the fourth time in five decisions. He gave up nine hits.

The Cubs got four runs in the third against Randy Wolf (6-9) with a two-run double from Shane Andrews and a two-run single by Benito Santiago.