Bonds Homers Again, but the Giants Lose, 5-4

After hitting homer No. 718, Barry Bonds struck out looking against J.J. Putz to end the game, and the Seattle Mariners defeated the San Francisco Giants, 5-4, on Friday night at Seattle.

Ichiro Suzuki hit a leadoff home run for Seattle and Felix Hernandez (7-6) won his fourth consecutive start, despite giving up a career-high three home runs -- all in the first 10 Giants batters.

Mike Morse knocked in two runs for the Mariners, who ended a three-game losing streak.

In the second inning, Bonds fouled off a 95-mph fastball from Hernandez to even the count at 1-1. He quickly turned on the next pitch, another fastball that Hernandez tried to get on the inside corner, and lined it about a dozen rows into the packed right-field bleachers.

For Bonds, who started in left field instead of designated hitter, it was his second consecutive plate appearance with a home run. He went deep in the ninth inning Wednesday at Arizona and is now 37 behind Hank Aaron’s major league record.

It was Bonds’ first outfield start in an American League park since 2004. He and Moises Alou struck a deal in which Alou would be the designated hitter in Game 1 of the three-game series and Bonds would fill that role today and Sunday.

Bonds walked on four pitches in the third inning, prompting many in the crowd of 41,333 -- the largest at Safeco Field since opening day -- to boo. Hernandez struck him out in the fifth on a 2-2 curveball, to the roaring delight of many, before the boos intensified when Eddie Guardado intentionally walked Bonds with Winn at second base and two out in the seventh. Rafael Soriano relieved and retired Alou on one pitch, a flyout to left field.

Milwaukee 6, Cleveland 4 -- Chris Capuano (7-4) struck out a career-high 12, and Corey Koskie and Carlos Lee homered to help the host Brewers to victory.

New York Yankees 7, Washington 5 -- Bernie Williams hit a solo home run in the ninth at Washington to put New York ahead to stay. New York has won three of four games; Washington has lost five in a row.

Florida 3, Toronto 1 -- Scott Olsen (6-3) won his fourth consecutive start and Dan Uggla hit a go-ahead home run to lead the Marlins to victory at Miami. The Marlins extended their season-high winning streak to six and improved to 4-0 on their homestand.

Kansas City 7, Houston 2 -- Scott Elarton (2-8) retired the first 15 batters, and Reggie Sanders drove in two runs and scored twice to lead the Royals to victory at Houston.

Texas 5, Arizona 3 -- Kevin Millwood (8-3) pitched into the eighth inning to win his fifth consecutive decision, and the Rangers got three runs and five hits against Brandon Webb (8-2) in the first inning in handing the Diamondbacks’ starter his second loss in a row at Arlington, Texas.

Boston 4, Atlanta 1 -- Jon Lester earned his first major league win, Jason Varitek hit a three-run double and the Red Sox won at Atlanta. The Braves lost for the 15th time in 18 games and fifth time in a row.

Chicago White Sox 12, Cincinnati 4 -- Joe Crede’s first-inning grand slam got Chicago’s offense rolling, and the visiting White Sox, winners of six of eight, moved a season-high 17 games over .500 at 42-25.

Minnesota 4, Pittsburgh 2 -- Francisco Liriano (6-1) shook off an early two-run deficit to strike out a career-best 11, and the Twins rallied for three runs in the seventh and won at Pittsburgh.

Tampa Bay 10, Philadelphia 4 -- Julio Lugo homered twice and Damon Hollins had his first four-hit game and drove in three runs to lead the Devil Rays past the struggling Phillies at Philadelphia. The Phillies (33-34) fell under .500 for the first time since they were 13-14 on May 3.

Baltimore 6, New York Mets 3 -- Erik Bedard (6-6) won his first game in a month, Melvin Mora hit a two-run home run against his former team and the visiting Orioles ended the Mets’ winning streak at eight games.

Detroit 5, Chicago Cubs 3 -- Nate Robertson (7-3) pitched seven effective innings and Curtis Granderson doubled, tripled and scored twice to lead the Tigers to a victory at Chicago. The Cubs lost their fourth in a row.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

St. Louis 8, Colorado 1 -- Jason Marquis (9-4) worked eight sharp innings and the Cardinals ended the Rockies’ four-game road winning streak.

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CHASING AARON

Baseball’s all-time home run leaders:

Hank Aaron: 755

Barry Bonds: 718

Babe Ruth: 714