Bonds Hits Two Out in Victory

Barry Bonds hit his 41st and 42nd home runs of the season, tying Mickey Mantle for ninth place on the career list with 536 as the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies, 10-0, Wednesday night.

Russ Ortiz (11-5) pitched a five-hitter for his first career shutout.

He also went two for four with a career-high three runs batted in.

But the win was muted when pitcher Mark Gardner, on the 15-day disabled list because of a right shoulder strain, released a statement regarding his status and the condition of his wife, Lori.

“After being placed on the DL, unfortunately we encountered more medical issues with Lori’s condition. At this time, the rehab of my shoulder has taken a back seat to Lori’s and my family’s needs in Fresno,” it said.

Lori Gardner battled liver cancer in 1997.

Bonds put the Giants up, 1-0, in the fourth inning with a shot off Mike Hampton (9-7) that sailed into the seats in right field.

Soon after rounding the bases, Bonds was led, clutching his back, into the clubhouse by trainer Stan Conte. Bonds returned to left field in the top of the fifth.

Bonds hit a two-run drive to left off Hampton in the fifth.

He was then replaced in left field by Armando Rios.

The Giants said Bonds had back spasms after the first home run and was removed from the game as a precaution.

It was Bonds’ 51st multi-homer game, and fifth this season.

He has hit his 42 homers in 95 games, matching Mark McGwire’s pace in 1998, when McGwire hit a record 70 homers.

Hampton, who fell to 0-5 in his last seven starts, gave up seven runs and eight hits over five innings.

The five-game losing streak is the longest of Hampton’s career. He has not won since June 10 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Rockies lost their fourth in a row.

It was the Giants second consecutive 10-run game. They beat the Texas Rangers, 10-2, on Tuesday night.

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Chasing History

Barry Bonds is in pursuit of Mark McGwire’s major league record 70 home runs, set in 1998:

HOME RUNS AFTER TEAM’S 95TH GAME

BARRY BONDS 2001

42

*

MARK McGWIRE 1998

42

* Bonds update: Homered off Colorado’s Mike Hampton in the fourth and fifth inning at Pacific Bell Park. He is on pace to hit 72 homers.

* Factoid: In 1998, McGwire hit two homers in the Cardinals’ 95th game.