No. 45 for Bonds in Win

Barry Bonds stayed ahead of Mark McGwire’s record home run pace, hitting his 45th Friday night to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 9-5 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bonds’ solo homer in the fourth inning off Brian Anderson (3-7) gave him 45 in San Francisco’s 104th game--one game faster than Mark McGwire’s pace in 1998 when he hit a record 70.

Andres Galarraga, acquired Tuesday from the Texas Rangers, hit a solo homer and a two-run single, Rich Aurilia drove in two runs with a homer and single, and Jeff Kent hit a two-run double.

The Diamondbacks dropped out of first place for the first time since May 24, falling a half-game behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

It was San Francisco’s second lopsided victory in a row over a team that had beaten them seven times in their first nine meetings. Bonds homered twice and drove in five runs Thursday in an 11-3 victory.

Kirk Rueter (10-7) picked up the victory, holding the Diamondbacks to three runs in six innings despite tying his season high by giving up 11 hits.

Mark Grace and Damian Miller drove in two runs a piece for Arizona, and Matt Williams had three hits and one run batted in.

Bonds was three for three with two walks, doubling in the first inning after Aurilia’s homer. Bonds leads the majors with 104 walks.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Chasing History

Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez are in pursuit of Mark McGwire’s major league record 70 home runs, set in 1998:

HOME RUNS AFTER . . .

104 GAMES

BARRY BONDS 2001: 45

103 GAMES

LUIS GONZALEZ 2001: 41

104 GAMES

MARK McGWIRE 1998: 44

* Bonds update: Bonds hit one home run Friday night against Arizona.

* Gonzalez update: The Diamondback left fielder was shut out against the Giants.

* Factoid: In 1998, McGwire hit his 45th home run in the Cardinals’ 105th game.