Barry Bonds climbs home-run chart as Giants go down to Mets in 5-4 loss

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tsao Chin-hui throws against the Montreal Expos during the first inning at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, on Tuesday. PHOTO: REUTERS

While former US president Bill Clinton was a big hit with New York Mets fans, Barry Bonds was the star attraction on the field.

Bonds kept climbing the career home-run chart, connecting twice to give him 650 in the San Francisco Giants' 5-4 loss to the Mets on Tuesday night. Bonds also hit an RBI single in front of a Shea Stadium crowd that included Clinton.

"I told the president before the game that I was going to walk Bonds all four times," Mets manager Art Howe said. "I probably should have."

Clinton visited with players, signed autographs, greeted fans and stayed all nine innings.

"I'm a baseball nut, what can I say?" Clinton said.

Out West, the San Diego Padres hit just one homer but racked up team-record 24 hits in a 14-4 romp over the Atlanta Braves.

Rockies 6, Expos 3, 11 innings.

Pinch-hitter Greg Norton connected for a three-run homer in the 11th inning and Colorado beat Montreal at Olympic Stadium.

Norton leads the majors with 16 pinch-hits. He has three homers and 12 RBIs in that role this season.

The Expos nearly won it in the 10th, but Jose Vidro's two-out drive hit high up the right-field fence for a double.

Vladimir Guerrero homered for the second straight night for Montreal.

His 224th career home run moved him within one of Andre Dawson's team record.

Marlins 5, Dodgers 4, 13 innings

Ramon Castro hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the 13th inning and Florida took the lead in the NL wild card race.

The Marlins nudged a half-game ahead of Philadelphia for the fourth playoff spot.

Castillo, Florida's third catcher of the night, hit the Marlins' sixth game-ending homer of the season. Los Angeles lost for the first time in five games this year.

Cubs 3, Astros 0

Carlos Zambrano pitched a five-hitter for the first shutout of his career, leading Chicago over Houston at Wrigley Field.

Zambrano struck out 10 and improved to 5-0 since the All-Star break.

Alex Gonzalez, who began the day in a 2-for-46 slump, hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Tim Redding.

Cardinals 10, Pirates 6

Albert Pujols and Tino Martinez hit three-run homers before Pittsburgh starter Josh Fogg retired a batter and St. Louis won at PNC Park.

Diamondbacks 2, Reds 0

Curt Schilling struck out 11 in seven innings and Arizona defeated Cincinnati for the 15th straight time.

Brewers 6, Phillies 3

Keith Osik hit a three-run double and Milwaukee beat Philadelphia at Veterans Stadium.

American League

The Seattle Mariners were thrilled to see Freddy Garcia snap his six-game losing streak. They certainly need him to keep winning if they want to hold off Oakland in the AL West.

Garcia got out of two early jams, outpitching Roy Halladay and leading the Seattle Mariners past the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 Tuesday night.

Seattle maintained its three-game lead over the Athletics, who beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3 in Oakland behind Barry Zito.

Yankees 6, Royals 0

At Kansas City, Missouri, Mike Mussina (13-6) allowed only four hits in eight innings and Jorge Posada went 4-for-5 with a home run as New York snapped a three-game skid.

White Sox 10, Angels 4

At Anaheim, California, Dan Wright (1-5) earned a victory in his second appearance out of the bullpen after going winless in 12 starts this season for Chicago.

Magglio Ordonez, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Carlos Lee drove in two runs apiece for the White Sox, who roughed up Ramon Ortiz (13-10) and moved within a half-game of first-place Kansas City in the AL Central.

Indians 9, Twins 6

At Minneapolis, Ryan Ludwick homered twice and Cleveland ended Minnesota's four-game winning streak.

Ludwick, Angel Santos and Casey Blake all connected during a four-run seventh that put the Indians ahead 8-4.

Twins starter Rick Reed was scratched because of back spasms and replaced by Joe Mays.

Tigers 7, Rangers 4

At Arlington, Texas, Jeremy Bonderman (6-15) pitched seven solid innings and Brandon Inge had three RBIs as Detroit spoiled the major league debut of Rangers starter Juan Dominguez.

Devil Rays 4, Orioles 2

At St. Petersburg, Florida, Rob Bell (3-2) took a one-hit shutout into the eighth and Damian Rolls hit a two-run double as Tampa Bay improved to 15-11 since the All-Star break.