Three More Homers for Bonds in Victory

San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker is no longer surprised at Barry Bonds’ impressive feats.

Bonds homered three times Tuesday night, including the third-longest home run at Coors Field, a 492-foot first-inning drive, as the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies, 7-4.

“You are past amazed. You accept it,” Baker said. “When you see greatness you don’t really get amazed after a while.”

It was the fourth three-homer game of Bonds’ career and gave him 38 homers this year and 605 in his career.

“At this stage of my game there’s no personal records that are really that important to me,” Bonds said. “You don’t really want to think about certain things because they may not end up the way you want it all the time.”

With a chance to tie the major league record for homers in a game, Bonds doubled against Todd Jones (1-4) in San Francisco’s three-run ninth, hitting a flare to left field.

Bonds finished four for four to increase his NL-leading batting average to .366 as he seeks the first batting title of his career. Bonds increased his lead over Larry Walker, who is batting .357.

Cincinnati 5-0, St. Louis 4-5--Chuck Finley gave up only two singles by Juan Castro as he pitched his first shutout in four years, leading the Cardinals to a doubleheader split with the Reds at Cincinnati.

Scott Rolen hit a three-run homer in the first, and Finley took it from there as the NL Central leaders ended a four-game losing streak. Finley (5-3) retired the first 16 batters before Castro lined a single to center.

In the first game, Rolen made an errant throw home, fueling a five-run second inning, and the Reds used five pitchers to close out the win.

San Diego 11, Houston 6--Ryan Klesko hit the eighth grand slam of his career and matched his all-time best with six RBIs to lead the Padres at Houston.

Phil Nevin had four hits and drove in two runs, including an RBI single in a seven-run seventh inning. Klesko’s grand slam capped the big inning, giving him six RBIs in a game against Houston for the second time in his career.

Chicago 6, Milwaukee 2--Alan Benes pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings in his first major league start since last September, helping the Cubs win at Milwaukee.

Benes, 30, had made only one major league start since 1997, beating the Dodgers, 6-5, last Sept. 8. He had been sidelined by two shoulder operations. He was at triple-A Iowa until he was brought up Friday, going 10-9 with a 5.65 earned-run average.

Atlanta 5, Pittsburgh 4--Matt Franco drove in four runs with a homer and bases-loaded triple that broke a seventh-inning tie at Pittsburgh, and the Braves withstood the Pirates’ three-run rally. John Smoltz got his major league-high 46th save.

Philadelphia 4, Montreal 2--Joe Roa pitched six strong innings at Philadelphia and went two for two with his first two RBIs of his career as the Phillies defeated the Expos for their sixth consecutive victory.

New York 10, Florida 5--Mo Vaughn hit a three-run homer and John Thomson (8-11) earned his first victory with the Mets, pitching into the ninth inning to defeat the Marlins at Miami.