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Bonds records 68th home run

The Giants slugger moves within two of Mark McGwire with eight games to play.

[AP photo] Barry Bonds hits a 3-and-0 pitch from San Diego right-hander Jason Middlebrook into the right-centerfield bleachers in the second.

©Associated Press

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 29, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds hit his 68th home run on Friday night to move within two of Mark McGwire's record.

In the second inning of the game that had not ended at press time, Bonds put a 3-and-0 pitch from San Diego right-hander Jason Middlebrook deep into the right-centerfield bleachers. It was Bonds' third homer in six days against Middlebrook, who also yielded Bonds' 65th and 66th last weekend in San Diego.

Bonds delivered in an electric atmosphere as San Francisco opened a three-game series against the Padres. As Bonds went to the plate, fans throughout sold-out Pacific Bell Park waved giveaway white towels, and chants of "Barry! Barry!" filled the bowl.

Camera flashes sparkled with each pitch to Bonds. The crowd roared as Bonds rounded the bases, and 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 this week during surgery.

Moments after the homer, Bonds weeped openly while sitting on the bench.

McGwire hit 70 in 1998 to break Roger Maris' 37-year-old record of 61, but Bonds seems determined to erase McGwire's 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 68th homer was his fourth in five games and his 10th in September, matching his career best in the regular season's final month.

The oldest player to hit 50 homers in a season, the 37-year-old Bonds spent most of the summer on the fastest pace in history, surprising even himself. Bonds' career best was 49 last season.

Bonds has 62 career homers against San Diego -- more than any other opponent. The drive also gave Bonds 129 RBI, tying his career best.

It was Bonds' 562nd career homer, moving him one behind Reggie Jackson on the career list. Bonds has passed nine players since hitting his 500th April 18.

Bonds obliterated Willie Mays' franchise record of 52 in 1965. Bonds reached that mark Aug. 18.

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