Bonds Hits 60th in Giants’ Victory

Barry Bonds became the fifth player in baseball history to hit 60 home runs in a season, connecting in the second inning of San Francisco’s 9-5 victory over Arizona on Thursday.

“That one was nice. My heart was just racing as I rounded the bases,” he said.

Bonds hit the milestone homer off Albie Lopez on a 2-2 count, and the sellout crowd at Pacific Bell Park jumped up as it sailed over the right-field wall. Jeff Kent, who had been waiting on deck, high-fived a smiling Bonds as he crossed home plate.

As the fans chanted “Barry! Barry!” Bonds made a curtain call and tipped his cap. “You couldn’t write a better story. You couldn’t dream of anything better,” Bonds said. “It’s just unbelievable.”

Bonds needs 11 homers in the Giants’ final 21 games to break the record of 70 set by Mark McGwire in 1998.

Bonds had never hit more than 49 homers in a season before this year. He joined Babe Ruth (60 in 1927), Roger Maris (61 in 1961), McGwire (70 in 1998; 65 in 1999) and Sammy Sosa (66 in 1998; 63 in 1999).

Bonds hit his 60th homer in the Giants’ 141st game, reaching the mark faster than the other four sluggers. McGwire needed 142 games in 1998.

Bonds, at 37 years and 44 days, is the oldest player to reach No. 60. He also did it in the fewest at-bats: Thursday’s homer came in his 411th at-bat this season. McGwire was a month shy of his 35th birthday in 1998, and he needed 439 at-bats.

Milwaukee 4, Houston 3--Mark Loretta singled home the go-ahead run off Billy Wagner in the 10th inning, rallying the Brewers at Houston.

The Astros’ National League Central lead dropped to 41/2 games over idle Chicago.

Philadelphia 3, Montreal 0--Robert Person and two relievers combined on a four-hitter at Montreal as the Phillies ended a four-game losing streak and pulled within 21/2 games of idle Atlanta for the National League East lead.

New York 5, Florida 2--Kevin Appier scattered nine hits and had a run-scoring single at Miami to help the Mets to their fourth consecutive victory.

Cincinnati 8, Pittsburgh 6--Ken Griffey Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the seventh and the Reds overcame a five-run deficit at Pittsburgh.

Notes: The Montreal Expos released pitcher Hideki Irabu one day after he finished a one-week suspension imposed while he was on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Ottawa....The Atlanta Braves recalled shortstop Wilson Betemit from Double-A Greenville and sent right-hander Winston Abreu to the San Diego Padres to complete an earlier trade for reliever Rudy Seanez....The Chicago Cubs will activate pitcher Kerry Wood from the disabled list to start today’s game against Atlanta at Wrigley Field. Wood has been on the disabled list since Aug. 4 because of tendinitis in his pitching shoulder.