BY R.B. FALLSTROM
The Associated Press
Teammates and fans greet McGwire at the dugout after his 47th homer.
(AP photo)
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ST. LOUIS -- Mark McGwire's silent stretch is over.
McGwire regained sole possession of the home run lead, becoming the first NL player to hit 47 before September as the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the New York Mets 8-3 Tuesday night.
"There's a lot of August left," manager Tony La Russa said. Entering the game, McGwire had not put a ball in play for 13 plate appearances -- seven walks and six strikeouts -- since hitting No. 46 on Saturday.
He doubled in the first inning and then hit a 464-foot drive off Bobby Jones in the fourth. The solo homer to left-center field ricocheted off a sign adjacent to the scoreboard.
"I didn't even watch it," Mets center fielder Brian McRae said. "I knew it was gone. When he hits them, there's no doubt.
"There's no sense in running back to the wall when they're hit like that."
McGwire has 71 homers in his last 162 games.
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McGwire had been tied for the major league lead with Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who connected twice Monday night. He claimed to be unaware of his quiet time, and of his latest achievement on the homer trail.
Hack Wilson entered September with 46 homers in 1930, finishing with 56 homers and a record 190 RBIs. Roger Maris hit 51 homers before September in his record 61-homer season in 1961.
"I wish I would have known all these things because when I'm always asked all these questions in front of all of you within 20 minutes after the game, I have no time to react, I have no time to think about it," McGwire said. "Obviously, it'll mean something to me.
"It's a great honor to pass somebody like that, but I'd really like it to sink in."
McGwire's homer came in his 162nd game with the Cardinals, who acquired him July 31, 1997. In that time he has 71 homers, 146 RBIs and 165 walks.
Edgardo Alfonzo had four hits as the Mets moved one-half game ahead of the Cubs for the NL wild-card spot.
