Barry Bonds went hitless a night after connecting for his 754th home run, leaving the San Francisco star one shy of tying Hank Aaron's record, but the Giants went on to defeat the Florida Marlins 4-3.
With his mom in the stands on Saturday, Marlin's pitcher Dontrelle Willis overmatched the slugger he admired growing up in the Bay Area. Bonds was 0-for-3 with a walk, popping out twice and striking out against Willis, who has lost seven straight decisions, the longest skid of his big league career.
After a day off today, Bonds' pursuit moves on to Los Angeles, where he'll be in front of hostile fans at Dodger Stadium.
Pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney lined a tying RBI double in the ninth off Kevin Gregg (0-4) ahead of Durham's hit. Jack Taschner (2-0) was the winner.
Fans jumped to their feet each time Bonds made his way to the batter's box. Bonds connected for his 754th homer in the first inning a night earlier, then drew four walks the rest of the night.
Cardinals 5, Brewers 2
At St. Louis, Anthony Reyes ended a 12-game regular-season losing streak that began last September, helping the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2 on Saturday night to sweep a day-night doubleheader.
Ryan Ludwick's RBI single capped a three-run ninth off closer Francisco Cordero for a 7-6 victory in Game 1. The Cardinals, who trailed by six runs in the third, mounted their biggest rally since coming from six down to beat Milwaukee 10-6 on June 9 last year.
Mets 3, Nationals 1
Nationals 6, Mets 5
At New York, Ryan Langerhans hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and Washington salvaged a split of their day-night doubleheader.
Joel Hanrahan pitched six innings in his major league debut and tripled in his first at-bat for the last-place Nationals, who have won three of four.
Astros 3, Padres 1
At Houston, Carlos Lee hit a home run for the third time in four games and Roy Oswalt outpitched Greg Maddux to win for the seventh time in eight starts against the Padres.
Oswalt (10-6) matched a season high with 10 strikeouts, showing no ill effects from a strained chest muscle that forced him to miss his last start.
Diamondbacks 4, Braves 3
At Phoenix, Conor Jackson singled home Chris Young with one out in the 10th inning as Arizona won for the eighth time in a row -- and third in their final at-bat.
Tyler Yates, the Braves' fourth pitcher, walked Young on four pitches to start the tenth. Orlando Hudson sacrificed Young to second and Eric Byrnes was intentionally walked.
Cubs 8, Reds 1
At Cincinnati, Alfonso Soriano homered twice and drove in five runs as the Cubs avoided back-to-back losses for the first time in nearly two months.
Reds ace Aaron Harang left the game after the first inning because of lower back soreness.
Phillies 10, Pirates 5
At Philadelphia, Chris Coste hit a three-run homer, Jimmy Rollins drove in three runs and the Phillies won for the seventh time in eight games.
J.D. Durbin (3-2) pitched five shaky innings but left with a five-run lead.
Rockies 6, Dodgers 2
At Denver, Jeff Francis scattered seven hits over seven innings and Troy Tulowitzki and Matt Holliday hit two-run homers for Colorado.
With Arizona's win on Saturday, the Dodgers are only percentage points ahead of the Diamondbacks for the lead in the NL West.
Francis (11-5) has now won six straight decisions. He hasn't lost since June 8 at Baltimore. He gave up two runs, struck out five and allowed no walks.
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