Sosa slugs 549th homer, passes Schmidt for ninth place on all-time list

SAN DIEGO — Sammy Sosa hit his 549th home run Saturday night to pass Mike Schmidt and take sole possession of ninth place on the career list, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 7-5 win over the San Diego Padres.

The two-run shot off Adam Eaton with two outs in the fifth inning was estimated at 434 feet, the longest home run in 21 games at Petco Park. The ball landed in the far end of the third-floor balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building, which helps form the left-field corner.

Aramis Ramirez added a three-run shot in the fifth, the 100th of his career. Moises Alou had a solo home run among his four hits, and scored three times. He finished 4 for 5.

The power barrage made a winner of Sergio Mitre (2-2), who grew up in the San Diego area and played at a junior college just up the street from Petco Park.

Sosa’s 10th home run came on a 2-1 count, one pitch after rookie shortstop Khalil Greene couldn’t hold onto a foul ball down the left-field line while trying to make a difficult over-the-shoulder catch.

Sosa’s homer gave the Cubs a 4-2 lead.

Next up on the career list is Reggie Jackson with 563. Sosa hit No. 548 on Friday night off Ismael Valdez in a 6-1 Cubs win.

Ramirez’s shot, his ninth, also went to left field and gave the Cubs a five-run lead. Alou homered to left on an 0-2 pitch with two outs in the third, his ninth.

Mitre lasted six innings, allowing three runs and six hits.