Bonds hits home run No. 68 against Padres
By Greg Beacham
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds hit his 68th home run last night to move within two of Mark McGwire's record.
In the second inning, Bonds put a 3-0 pitch from San Diego right-hander Jason Middlebrook deep into the right-center field bleachers for a solo homer. It was Bonds' third homer in six days against Middlebrook, who also yielded Bonds' 65th and 66th homers last weekend in San Diego.
Bonds delivered in an electric atmosphere as San Francisco opened a three-game series against the Padres with a 10-5 victory. As Bonds went to the plate, fans throughout sold-out Pacific Bell Park waved giveaway white towels over their head, and chants of "Barry! Barry!" filled the bowl.
Camera flashes sparkled with each pitch to Bonds. The crowd roared as Bonds rounded the bases. Bonds jumped and emphatically pointed skyward as he crossed home plate.
Bonds was in a somber mood before the game. Franklin Bradley, a longtime friend and former bodyguard, died earlier this week during surgery.
Moments later, Bonds weeped openly while sitting on the bench.
McGwire hit 70 homers in 1998 to break Roger Maris' 37-year-old record of 61, but Bonds seems determined to erase McGwire's still-warm mark. The Giants have eight games remaining, including three at homer-friendly Enron Field in Houston.
Bonds has amplified his power surge during the Giants' drive for a playoff spot. The homer was his fourth in five games and his 10th in September, matching his previous career best for homers in the regular season's final month.
The oldest player ever to hit 50 homers in a season, the 37-year-old Bonds spent most of the summer on the fastest homer pace in baseball history, surprising even himself. Bonds' previous career best was 49 homers, which he hit last season.
Bonds has 62 career homers against San Diego — more than any other opponent.
The drive also gave Bonds 129 RBIs, tying his career best.
It was Bonds' 562nd career homer, moving him one homer behind Reggie Jackson on baseball's career list. Bonds has passed nine players on the list since hitting his 500th homer on April 18.
Bonds obliterated Willie Mays' previous franchise record of 52 home runs in 1965. Bonds reached that mark on Aug. 18, and he hasn't slowed down since.
