HOUSTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Barry Bonds hit his 70th home run of the year Thursday night, equaling the seemingly unreachable single-season record established just three seasons ago by Mark McGwire.
The San Francisco slugger tied the record by slammnig a 1-1 pitch from Houston's Wilfredo Rodriguez to lead off the ninth inning.
Houston pitchers had worked around Bonds throughout the three-game series, but with the Giants already owning a 9-2 advantage going into the ninth, Rodriguez went after Bonds.
After being frustrated throughout the series, Bonds was ready to attack and he knew he had achieved baseball history the moment the ball left his bat.
He raised his arms in triumph before leaving the batter's box and he trotted to first base with his right arm raised skyward.
The crowd at Houston's Enron Field gave him a standing ovation as he celebrated his record-equaling home run.
Bonds has three games remaining in which to try to surpass McGwire and claim the record by himself. The Giants end the season with a three-game series beginning Friday night at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
