Bonds Enjoys Career Day Against Astros

Barry Bonds homered for a career high. Armando Rios homered for his grandmother.

Bonds hit his career-best 47th home run, and Rios hit a solo homer in the ninth inning to break a tie and lift the San Francisco Giants over the Houston Astros 3-2 Wednesday night.

Bonds homered in his third consecutive game for the NL West leaders, connecting for a solo shot in the seventh inning off rookie Wade Miller.

“I’m going to hit the ball out anywhere, I don’t know how many, I just want to win, just win,” Bonds said.

Bonds broke his previous best of 46 set in 1993, his first season with the Giants. The All-Star outfielder’s eighth homer of the month was the 492nd of his career, one behind Lou Gehrig for 17th place on the list.

Bonds has passed Stan Musial, Willie Stargell, Dave Winfield and Carl Yastrzemski on the career homer list this season.

Bonds downplayed the significance of his record breaker.

Rios knew that his game-winner was special.

“My grandmother passed away on Friday, I know that she is in heaven and this was for her,” said Rios after hitting his 10th homer with two out in the ninth off Miller (5-6). “This is the biggest moment in my career. I wanted to stay with my family, but they all said to go hit a home run for her and win a game and she will know.”

The Giants completed a three-game sweep and improved to 6-0 at Enron Field.

Livan Hernandez (15-10) pitched eight innings for the victory. Robb Nen got his 36th save, converting his 23rd straight chance.

“He’s the most mystical pitcher in the league,” Astro Manager Larry Dierker said of Hernandez. “He throws stuff up there that looks like nothing and throws it high and he doesn’t throw very hard. Hitters come back shaking their heads.

“It’s not just us, he does it to everyone.”