Bonds Hits 599th Homer, Giants Win

Barry Bonds’ 599th homer wasn’t even the most exciting part of a wild victory for the San Francisco Giants.

Bonds moved to the doorstep of the exclusive 600-homer club with an early three-run shot, and the Giants scored three runs in the eighth to beat the Chicago Cubs, 11-10, Tuesday night.

Bonds drove in four runs, and his 432-foot drive into right-center field in the third inning moved him within one homer of joining Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays with 600.

Robb Nen joined his own exclusive club by getting the final three outs for his 300th save--though he made it as difficult as possible on himself.

Nen gave up a run in the ninth and was forced to get two outs with the bases loaded, escaping to become the youngest player to record 300 saves at age 32.

Bonds was actually glad his 600th homer didn’t come on the same night as Nen’s milestone.

“That makes it a lot better,” Bonds said. “So can I go now, and let him have his night?”

After Chicago rallied from two big early deficits to take a late lead, San Francisco won it with an eighth-inning comeback--and a frantic ninth-inning stand that included the ejection of Cub shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Homer Leaders

Barry Bonds hit his 599th home run Tuesday night. A look at the career home-run leaders:

Player HR

Hank Aaron...755

Babe Ruth...714

Willie Mays...660

Barry Bonds...599

Frank Robinson...586

Mark McGwire...583

Player HR

Harmon Killebrew...573

Reggie Jackson...563

Mike Schmidt...548

Mickey Mantle...536

Jimmy Foxx...534

Willie McCovey...521