Barry Bonds got a rare pitch to hit, and he didn't miss it. It seems like he never does.
Bonds hit his major league-leading 56th home run Monday, becoming the fastest player to reach the mark, as the San Francisco Giants beat the New York Mets 6-5.
"It was a fastball, probably the only one I got," Bonds said. "I knew I had it."
Bonds has always had a good eye, but pitchers fear him now more than ever. He's already walked 133 times this season, and he must continue to make the most of his swings if he hopes to break Mark McGwire's 1998 record of 70 homers.
With the Giants in the thick of the NL playoff race, Bonds doesn't figure to see many good pitches down the stretch.
"As long as you win the game, it doesn't matter," Bonds said.
The American League had the day off.
Bonds also doubled and singled, and J.T. Snow hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the ninth inning off Rick White (3-5) as the Giants averted a four-game sweep at Shea Stadium.
San Francisco moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Arizona in the NL West and a half-game ahead of idle Chicago in the wild card race. Bonds and the Giants face Randy Johnson in the opener of a key three-game series Tuesday night at Bank One Ballpark.
"J.T. won the game for us," Bonds said. "Every game is important for us right now."
Felix Rodriguez (8-1) got the win despite giving up a tying homer to Tsuyoshi Shinjo in the eighth.
Robb Nen took over after a 54-minute rain delay and got three outs for his 37th save.
DODGERS 4, BRAVES 2: Gary Sheffield hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to rally visiting Los Angeles over Atlanta and deny Greg Maddux his 18th victory.
Maddux allowed one run and five hits in seven innings, leaving with a 2-1 lead. But Mike Remlinger (3-3) put two runners on in the eighth, and Jose Cabrera gave up Sheffield's 31st homer.
PHILLIES 3, DIAMONDBACKS 1: Robert Person allowed one run in eight innings, and Marlon Anderson's single drove in the go-ahead run for Philadelphia.
Person (12-6) gave up five hits, tied a career high with 11 strikeouts and won for the eighth time in nine decisions as the host Phillies closed within one game of first-place Atlanta in the NL East.
Jose Mesa finished for his 34th save in 36 chances. Before the game, Mesa received a two-game suspension for hitting St. Louis' Jim Edmonds with a pitch on Aug. 19. Mesa will miss the next two games against the Mets.
PADRES 8, MARLINS 3: DamianJackson hit a three-run homer, and Phil Nevin added a solo shot as the visiting Padres roughed up A.J. Burnett, who pitched a no-hitter against them May 12 in San Diego.
BREWERS 12, PIRATES 5: Richie Sexson homered twice and drove in five runs to help Rocky Coppinger win for the first time in nearly two years as Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh at Miller Park.
Coppinger, who missed all of last season recovering from elbow surgery, allowed three runs and five hits in five innings for his first victory since Oct. 1, 1999, against Cincinnati.