McGwire Doubles Up to Get Within Two of Maris

Two gone, two to go for Mark McGwire.

Mighty Mac hit a pair of home runs for the second consecutive night Wednesday against the Florida Marlins, giving him a career-best 59. He needs two more to tie Roger Maris’ 37-year-old major league record.

McGwire homered in the seventh inning against Brian Edmondson and again in the eighth on the first pitch from Rob Stanifer. Each was a two-run homer, helping the St. Louis Cardinals win, 14-4.

The first homer, which landed halfway up in the upper deck in left field, was estimated at 497 feet, making it the third-longest in the history of Pro Player Stadium. The second homer 30 minutes later was to left center and traveled an estimated 458 feet.

It was McGwire’s eighth multihomer game this season and the 51st of his career. With 23 games remaining, McGwire is on a pace to hit 69 homers.

Maris hit 61 in 1961. With another two-homer performance, McGwire would tie the record Friday when the Cardinals begin a three-game series at home against Cincinnati.

“I didn’t expect to have 57 by Sept. 1,” McGwire said before the game, “but when I got to 50, I began to think about the record.”

His latest power display came hours after Sammy Sosa hit No. 56 for the Chicago Cubs.

“Sammy’s a September player, so you have to watch out for him,” McGwire said. “It’s crunch time--time to make history.”

McGwire broke Hack Wilson’s 68-year-old NL record of 56 home runs with two Tuesday.