National League

The outstanding highlight of Thursday's action came from the bat of Barry Bonds as he equalled Mark McGwire's single-season home run record of 70.

Bonds' team, the San Francisco Giants, triumphed 10-2 over the Houston Astros, with the big hitter's historic moment coming in the ninth inning off rookie lefthander Wilfredo Rodriguez.

Houston have now lost six straight games and fallen one behind St Louis for the NL Central Division lead.

Needing just one win to clinch at least a wild card berth, the Astros close the season with three games at St Louis.

In Phoenix, the Arizona Diamondbacks inched closer to the NL West title with a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

In Milwaukee, the St Louis Cardinals clinched at least a tie for a play-off place with a 10-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

In Philadelphia, the Atlanta Braves clinched at least a tie for first place in the NL East with a 6-2 victory over the second-placed Phillies.

American League

In Chicago, Cubs catcher Todd Hundley hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to give his side a 2-0 lead over the Cincinnati Reds before rain forced the game to be called in the top of the eighth.

Mark Mulder allowed just one hit in seven scoreless innings to record his 21st win as the Oakland Athletics beat the Anaheim Angels 5-1.

In Seattle, the AL West champion Mariners thrashed the Texas Rangers 16-1.

In Kansas City, Bartolo Colon was hit for six runs in the second innings by the hometown Royals who posted an 8-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

In Detroit, the Tigers lost their 15th game of the season to Minnesota when the Twins scored two runs in the ninth inning to post a 5-4 victory.

In Baltimore, Hideo Nomo pitched seven effective innings as the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4.

In St Petersburg, the New York Yankees were beaten 4-1 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who are attempting to avoid an 100-loss season.

Results:

National League

Florida 6-2 Montreal
St Louis 10-3 Milwaukee
Chicago Cubs 2-0 Cincinnati (7 1/2 Inngs)
Arizona 5-4 Colorado
San Diego 6 -3 Los Angeles
San Francisco 10-2 Houston
Atlanta 6-2 Philadelphia

American League

Minnesota 5-4 Detroit
Kansas City 8-4 Cleveland
Boston 5-4 Baltimore
Tampa Bay 4-1 NY Yankees
Oakland 5-1 Anaheim
Seattle 16-1 Texas

Back to top