DENVER, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Sammy Sosa hit three-run home runs in three consecutive innings Saturday night and posted a career-high nine RBI before being removed in the middle of the sixth inning as the Chicago Cubs hammered the Colorado Rockies, 15-1.
It was Sosa's first three-homer game of the season and sixth of his career, which tied Jonny Mize's major league record. The offensive display came one day after he threatened to leave the Cubs when his contract ends following the 2003 season if the team does not improve.
Sosa's nine RBI tied Heinie Zimmerman's team record, set June 11, 1911.
With the Cubs leading, 1-0, entering the third inning, Sosa sent a 3-2 offering from Rockies starter Shawn Chacon (5-9) 490 feet over the wall in right-center field for his National League-leading 36th home run. Fred McGriff followed with a homer to right to stake rookie Mark Prior (6-3) to a five-run lead.
In the fourth, Sosa tied Texas' Alex Rodriguez for the most home runs in the major leagues with a 468-foot shot to right, and the All-Star right fielder grabbed the home run lead one inning later by depositing Mark Corey's 3-1 pitch 411 feet to left.
Sosa overshadowed teammate Moises Alou, who went four for five and hit two homers in a game for the 21st time in his career.
Prior allowed one run and five hits in six innings, striking out eight batters without a walk as he defeated Chacon and the Rockies for the second time in a week.
Colorado had a four-game winning streak overall and eight-game winning streak at home snapped.
