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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Barry Bonds didn't stick around to talk
about yet another historic night. He let his bat do the talking.
Bonds hit two home runs for the second consecutive game and the
San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 Tuesday
night to open a season-high 6½-game lead in the NL West.
|  | | Barry Bonds smashed two home runs Tuesday night against the Phillies, giving him his 46th career multi-homer game. Bonds, with 43 homers, trails only Sammy Sosa (45) for most in the majors. |
"Barry is locked in," Giants manager Dusty Baker said. "You
can tell because he's hitting it the other way and straightaway.
It's great to see Barry swing the bat so well. It was a weird game.
A lot transpired."
Bill Mueller hit the go-ahead homer in the seventh inning, and
Rich Aurilia, Ellis Burks and J.T. Snow also homered for the
Giants, who won their seventh straight game to extend their lead
over Arizona.
The six homers were the most for San Francisco since hitting six
on May 4, 1963, at the Polo Grounds against the New York Mets.
"Balls were falling out because the wind wasn't blowing," said
Aurilia. "It seemed like every one of our homers was a big one."
Bonds has 43 homers on the season, his most since hitting a
career-high 46 in 1993. It's also the 46th multihomer game of his
career, tying him with Harmon Killebrew and Mickey Mantle for ninth
on the career list.
"Barry is hot and he's been boosting us," said Burks, who had
a season-high four hits. "But everybody is contributing and we
need that. This is as much fun as I've had in a long time."
John Johnstone (3-4) pitched one hitless inning for his first
win since April 29. Robb Nen pitched a scoreless ninth for his 35th
save in 40 opportunities, and a major league best 22nd straight.
With one out in the seventh, Mueller hit the first pitch from Ed
Vosberg (1-1) for his ninth homer to break a 5-all tie. Bonds
followed with his second homer of the night, knocking out Vosberg.
"I was just trying to get ahead on Mueller and left it over the
plate," Vosberg said. "Bonds hit a slider that didn't break. I
was a little surprised he went to left field, but that's why he's
such a great hitter. He hasn't won a couple MVP awards for
nothing."
One out later, Snow hit his 16th homer on a 3-1 pitch from
Vincente Padilla.
"Barry is getting red hot right now, but this is a team which
doesn't have to rely on one guy," Snow said.
The Phillies, who stranded 12 runners, lost their season-high
seventh straight.
"We didn't get two-out hits and that's a big part of the
game," Phillies manager Terry Francona said.
Giants starter Kirk Rueter allowed three runs and six hits in
five innings.
Phillies starter Kent Bottenfield gave up five runs -- four
earned -- and seven hits in six innings. He walked two and struck
out four.
Bonds' first homer put the Giants in front 2-0 in the first.
With one out, Mueller singled. Bonds then hit his 42nd homer on a
2-1 pitch from Bottenfield.
Pat Burrell tied the game at 2 in the second with his 14th
homer, tying him with Houston's Mitch Meluskey for most among NL
rookies.
The Giants regained the lead in the bottom of the second when
Burks and Aurilia hit consecutive homers. It was Burks' 21st and
Aurilia's 18th, most among NL shortstops. Aurilia has four homers
in his last five games.
The Giants hit consecutive homers twice this game after not
doing it all season.
"They're doing everything they need to do to win," Vosberg
said. "It seems like they always get the big hit when they need
it."
Doug Glanville doubled home a run in the fourth to close the gap
to 4-3.
Joe Nathan replaced Rueter to start the sixth and didn't survive
the inning. Kevin Jordan opened with a double. Alex Arias followed
with a walk. On a 1-2 pitch, Bottenfield feigned bunt but then
slapped a ball toward shortstop, forcing Arias and advancing Jordan
to third. After Bobby Abreu walked, Glanville singled home two
runs, putting the Phillies up 5-4.
The Giants tied the score in the sixth on Doug Mirabelli hit a
sacrifice fly.
Game notes
Johnstone had gone 28 appearances between wins. ... Burrell
snapped an 18 at-bat hitless streak with his second-inning homer.
... Giants' Pedro Feliz grounded out as a pinch-hitter in his major
league debut. ... Snow's homer was career hit No. 1,000. ... The
six homers allowed by the Phillies tied their season high (Aug. 13
against Houston).
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