Say Barry: Two for Bonds

For most of his career, Barry Bonds thought he would never touch the home run totals of Willie Mays, his godfather and hero.

Now that Bonds has passed Mays to become a giant among San Francisco Giants, nothing seems impossible anymore.

Bonds hit two home runs Thursday, breaking Mays’ Giant season record and boosting his major league-leading total to 53 as he led the Giants to a 5-3 victory over the Florida Marlins.

“I’m accomplishing things I never thought I could do,” Bonds said. “I was surprised by [hitting] 50 homers, because I had never done it. When I had 39 at the All-Star break, I was surprised. I just hope I can carry it on all the way through.”

When Bonds next speaks to Mays, who hit 52 homers for the Giants in 1965, he’ll have a private message.

“He’ll probably call to congratulate me, and I’ll have to say something like, ‘I gotcha,’ ” Bonds said.

Bonds hit a solo homer in the fourth, then put the Giants in front with a three-run drive in the eighth.

His latest step on the fastest home run pace in baseball history was one of the most impressive days yet in his magical season. With 41 games left in San Francisco’s season, he is 17 homers short of Mark McGwire’s record.

Bonds’ first homer also broke the National League record for left-handed hitters, set by Johnny Mize with the New York Giants in 1947.

For one of the few times during the Giants’ three impressive weeks, Bonds carried his teammates to a victory. Most times this season, Bonds has been only one of many contributors to the Giants’ potent offense.

“This is a time when you have to excel,” Bonds said. “The finish line is getting closer and closer.”

San Francisco, leading the National League wild-card race, won for the 17th time in 20 games and moved within a half-game of the idle Arizona Diamondbacks, the National League West leaders.

Florida’s A.J. Burnett (8-9) gave up only two hits over the first seven innings, but pinch-hitter Pedro Feliz led off the eighth with a double, and Marvin Benard drove him home.

Rich Aurilia then singled, and the Marlins brought in Vic Darensbourg to face Bonds.

After exchanging words with umpire Mike Winters over a called strike, Bonds crushed Darensbourg’s next pitch, then momentarily stood in the batter’s box to watch as the ball soared over the fence in one of Pacific Bell Park’s deepest parts.