San Francisco 38, Arizona 28

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Jeff Garcia matched a career high with four touchdown passes, two to star receiver Terrell Owens, as the San Francisco 49ers won the battle for first place in the NFC West Sunday with a 38-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

San Francisco has relied more on a power running game this season, but the 49ers turned to the pass Sunday with their Pro Bowl quarterback and Pro Bowl receiver leading the way.

Garcia hooked up with Owens for touchdown passes of 21 and 61 yards in the first half as the 49ers (5-2) built a 31-7 lead. Garcia also had a 47-yard touchdown pass to Tai Streets in the first quarter and a nine-yard connection with running back Kevan Barlow in the fourth.

Garcia finished 18 of 28 for 251 yards. Owens, who moved past Roger Craig into second place on the club's all-time touchdown list with 67, had eight catches for 132 yards.

"It was an all-team performance," Garcia said. "It worked in every sort of direction. Everybody stepped up and did that they needed to do."

Free safety Ronnie Heard, replacing the injured Zack Bronson, led the defense for the 49ers with three interceptions.

"I played with confidence today," Heard said. "It was my fifth career start and I was just trying to go out there and contribute defensively. I've never had more than two, ever."

Heard also drew praise from coach Steve Mariucci.

"I gave him the game ball for his three interceptions," Mariucci said. "Ronnie was at the right place at the right time with his three takeaways."

In addition to his three interceptions, Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer lost a fumble in the first half. Arizona (4-3) had a three-game winning streak stopped.

"It was a game for first place. They earned it, they got it," Arizona Coach Dave McGinnis said. "We can't spot them 31 points. We gave them too many defensive plays."

Plummer, who called this the biggest game since the Cardinals moved to Arizona in 1988, got off to an inauspicious start when he was drilled by end Andre Carter on the first play from scrimmage. He fumbled and tackle Dana Stubblefield recovered at the Arizona 33.

Jose Cortez converted the fumble into a 45-yard field goal, giving the 49ers the early lead.

It was the first of three turnovers in the first half that the 49ers turned into 17 points. Arizona had been plus-six in turnover ratio in its first six games.

San Franciso went 73 yards in nine plays on its next possession. Garcia capped the drive by rolling to his right and finding Owens over the middle for a 21-yard touchdown.

Heard, who struggled in pass coverage in last week's loss at New Orleans, set up the 49ers' next possession when he intercepted Plummer and returned the ball 17 yards to his own 49.

Three plays later, Garcia fired a strike to Streets, who beat backup cornberback Coby Rhinehart for a 47-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 17-0 with 4:13 left in the opening quarter.

Looking to turn the contest in a complete rout, San Francisco got a 40-yard punt return by Jimmy Williams to the Arizona 43 in the final minute of the first quarter.

On the second play of the second quarter, Barlow ran to his left, made a sharp cutback and reached the end zone from five yards out.

Barlow rushed for 81 yards on 18 attempts while Garrison Hearst, who left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, gained 35 on five carries.

The Cardinals finally found some offensive success on their ensuing drive as Marcel Shipp capped an eight-play, 68-yard drive with a seven-yard run.

In the waning moments of the first half, the Cardinals looked to get closer. But on second and four from the 49ers' 17, Plummer had his pass intended for tight end Freddie Jones intercepted by Heard in the end zone.

Taking over on their 20 with 54 seconds left in the half, San Francico quickly marched 80 yards. On third and two from the 39, Garica found Owens over the middle. Owens had open field, cut down the left sideline and raced 61 yards to the end zone for a touchdown, making it 31-7.

Known for his exuberant celebrations, Owens was under control, motioned to the crowd and took the ball with him to the sidelines.

Owens won his battle with fellow star David Boston, who had six receptions for 83 yards.