CHICAGO -- It wasn’t just a milestone home run Alfonso Soriano hit for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, it was also a game-winner that snapped an eight-game losing streak.

His 20th on the season came in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds to give the Cubs the lead for good in a 5-3 victory.

Soriano becomes just the third active player to hit at least 20 home runs in each of the last 11 seasons, joining a club that includes classic bombers David Ortiz and Albert Pujols.

In Cubs lore, Soriano joins Andre Dawson as the only two hitters in club history to deliver at least 20 home runs in their first six seasons with the team.

“I never saw myself as a home-run hitter but 11 years in a row with 20 or more, I have to be very proud of myself,” Soriano said. “I’m hard working. I’m very proud because I’ve been hard working to put up some big numbers and help the team to win.”

Times have changed drastically over Soriano’s career. The former infielder now plays in the outfield, he’s gone from the American League to the National League and now he’s a mentor in a Cubs clubhouse full of young players.

“It’s very hard to play like that and not be a contender, but I have to play hard just because these kids see me,” Soriano said. “I’m a veteran on the team so I have to play hard to show the kids how to play the game.”