Bonds’ Homer Cuts L.A.’S Lead To One

Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer and Kirk Rueter pitched seven strong innings as the San Francisco Giants defeated Los Angeles 2-1 Wednesday night in San Francisco to pull within one game of the N.L. West-leading Dodgers.

Bonds’ 34th homer, his sixth against the Dodgers this year, went 426 feet into the upper deck in right field. Bonds did a 360-degree spin as he watched the ball disappear into the stands, then pumped his right fist in triumph.

Braves 10, Mets 2

Atlanta

Atlanta became the first major-league team to clinch six straight postseason appearances and also set a record with its 12th grand slam of the year, using a nine-run first inning to cruise past New York.

Ryan Klesko hit the slam and Greg Maddux picked up his 19th victory for the Braves, who have been in the playoffs every completed season since 1991 and are assured at least a wild-card berth in the National League.

Expos 4, Reds 1

Cincinnati

Rondell White’s three-run homer in the eighth inning sent Montreal to victory over Cincinnati, snapping the Expos’ four-game losing streak.

Phils 5-2, Marlins 2-5

Miami

Rookie Tony Saunders earned his first victory since July 31 to help Florida salvage a split with Philadelphia.

Saunders (4-6), winless in his past seven starts, allowed four hits and one run in six innings.

Rookie Garrett Stephenson and closer Ricky Bottalico combined on a six-hitter for Philadelphia in the opener.

Astros 8, Pirates 4

Pittsburgh

Houston took a big step toward winning its first division title since 1986, backing Shane Reynolds’ eight-hit pitching with three homers to beat Pittsburgh.

The Astros opened a 4-1/2-game lead in the N.L. Central over the upstart Pirates.

Cardinals 12, Cubs 9

Chicago

Mark McGwire hit his 53rd home run of the season - the most since Roger Maris set the record of 61 in 1961 - as St. Louis won.

The 53 homers tops his previous best of 52, which he hit last season with Oakland, and put McGwire one ahead of Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr.

Padres 5, Rockies 4

San Diego

Wally Joyner’s two-run homer in the sixth inning gave San Diego its victory over Colorado, further damaging the Rockies’ slim playoff hopes.

Larry Walker hit two homers and had four RBIs for the Rockies.

Clearing the bases

Denny Neagle, one of the top contenders for the Cy Young Award, will miss his scheduled start for Atlanta today because of lingering soreness in his non-pitching shoulder. … San Diego utility infielder Archi Cianfrocco will likely miss the rest of the season with a broken right index finger. … Florida catcher Charles Johnson closed within one game of a major-league record at his position, 117 consecutive errorless games in one season.