SOSA SWATS 54TH : CHICAGO 6, DODGERS 0.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

For Sammy Sosa, it was a night like so many others. For Kyle Farnsworth, it was the game of his young life.

There are now 54 reasons why Sosa isn't sharing the spotlight much these days, 54 homers that bring the crowd to its feet no matter where he is playing.

But just as special Sunday was the two-hit, 6-0 shutout Farnsworth (3-7) threw at the Dodgers, just the third major-league victory for the struggling 23-year-old right-hander.

Sosa, who was cheered wildly throughout the three-game series, received a standing ovation from the crowd of 47,411 at Dodger Stadium after leading off the seventh inning with a homer off Darren Dreifort.

It was a 427-foot, opposite-field solo shot that landed deep in the Cubs' bullpen. Dodgers right-fielder Raul Mondesi didn't even look up.

``What for,'' he said. ``Sammy is just so strong.''

But when Sosa caught Todd Hollandsworth's flyout to end the game, he unwittingly tossed Farnsworth's memento into the stands.

Not that anybody cared, except maybe Dreifort (11-13), who pitched well but unraveled after the home run and the huge response from the crowd.

For Farnsworth, who is scheduled to pitch against the Dodgers on Saturday at Wrigley Field, it was his first victory in his last 12 major-league starts.

That win came at Dodger Stadium, as well, on May 11. Since then he also has been sent to the minors and pitched out of the bullpen.

But through eight innings, he had allowed just one hit, a bloop single by Hollandsworth with one out in the fourth inning that should have been caught by left-fielder Glenallen Hill.

Although Mark Grudzielanek ended the what-ifs by bouncing an infield single to open the ninth, Farnsworth's performance did have historical significance.

The last Cubs pitcher to throw a one-hitter in Dodger Stadium was Bob Hendley in September 1965, the same night Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game.

``This felt great,'' said Farnsworth, who came in with a 6.17 ERA. ``This is a long time coming.''

Sosa is making a little history of his own.

He is nine games ahead of his pace from last season, when he hit 66. This year he is leading the Cardinals Mark McGwire, who had 70 last year. McGwire has 51, but is stuck in a 2 for 19 slump.

The Dodgers were successful against Sosa in the first two games in the series. But Sosa who came in 1 for 8, owns Dreifort. The home run made him 6 for 12 lifetime. He also added two singles.

``The last two games here they pitched me real well and I was swinging at too many pitches out of the strike zone,'' Sosa said. ``But I went to the cage early today with my batting coach (Jeff Pentland) and pretty much figured out what happened. ``I came into the game trying to be patient, which is part of my game. I went up there relaxed and it pretty much worked.''

As Sosa circled the bases, the flashbulbs popped and the crowd roared. When play resumed, Mark Grace lined a double to right and Hill walked.

Tyler Houston came up in a bunt situation and rolled the ball toward third base. Instead of breaking for the ball, Dreifort raced toward the plate. Third baseman Adrian Beltre picked up the ball and made a wild throw to first. Grace scored and Hill and Houston moved into scoring position. Both scored on a base hit by Gary Gaetti.

MILWAUKEE vs. DODGERS

Time: 7:10 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio:

Fox Sports West 2; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: In the first of three games with the Brewers, Kevin Brown (14-6, 3.34) faces left-hander Bill Pulsipher (3-4, 5.49). After wining five consecutive starts, Brown was roughed up by the Brewers in his last outing. He allowed seven runs - including a grand slam by Jose Valentin - in six innings, but was not involved in the decision. Matchups for the remainder of the series: Tuesday (7:10 p.m.; Fox Sports West 2) - RH Mike Judd (2-1, 5.09) vs. RH Kyle Peterson (1-4, 3.28). . . . Wednesday (4:45 p.m.; Fox Sports West 2) - RH Ismael Valdes (9-11, 3.29) vs. RH Cal Eldred (1-7, 8.07).

- Matt McHale

CAPTION(S):

Photo, box

PHOTO Chicago's Sammy Sosa does his patented hop Sunday as home run No. 54 sails away. The solo shot helped spark the Cubs to victory.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Box: Milwaukee vs. Dodgers (see text)