Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004 | 7:44 a.m.
Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants can reach the playoffs two ways.
They certainly boosted both chances Tuesday night.
Brett Tomko won his sixth consecutive decision and San Francisco beat the visiting Houston Astros 9-2 to maintain their wild-card lead and move within 1 1/2 games of first-place Los Angeles in the NL West.
"This is what you play all year for. Everything's big," Tomko said.
The Dodgers are in danger of letting a comfortable division lead slip away. Despite two more homers from Adrian Beltre, they lost 9-4 in San Diego, leaving them with their smallest margin since July 17. Los Angeles was up by six games on Sept. 11.
And there's this: The Dodgers and Giants have six meetings left.
"We need more effective innings from our starting pitchers," Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy said. "Sooner or later, you need a step-up performance."
In other NL games, it was: Chicago 5, Pittsburgh 4 in 10 innings; Philadelphia 4, Florida 2; Atlanta 5, Cincinnati 4; Montreal 6, New York 1; and Milwaukee 6, St. Louis 4. Arizona's game at Colorado was postponed by rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday.
Before the game, the Giants dropped their right to void the final year of Bonds' contract, meaning the slugger will have at least two more seasons with San Francisco to break Hank Aaron's home run record of 755.
Under the $90 million, five-year deal agreed to in January 2002, San Francisco could have voided the 2006 season if Bonds failed to reach 500 plate appearances next year or 1,500 combined from 2003-05, including at least 400 next season.
But with Bonds as dominant as ever, the team decided to keep the 40-year-old left fielder for two more seasons.
"This is where I want to end my career," Bonds said.
For now, his teammates are helping take the pressure off him.
Pedro Feliz matched his career high with four RBIs for the Giants, and Tomko (11-6) came within one out of his second complete game in a row.
Bonds drove in a run to help the Giants win for the eighth time in nine games and snap Houston's four-game winning streak. The Chicago Cubs are a half-game behind San Francisco in the wild-card race. The Astros dropped two games back.
Bonds remained at 701 homers, finishing 0-for-3 with his 107th intentional walk.
At San Diego, Ramon Vazquez and Ramon Hernandez hit three-run homers, and Adam Eaton (11-13) beat Los Angeles for the fourth time this season. The Padres pulled within 5 1/2 games of the Dodgers, but remained four behind the Giants in the wild-card race.
"Where we're at in the standings, we're desperate. The guys played like it tonight," San Diego manager Bruce Bochy said.
Beltre hit a pair of two-run homers and leads the majors with 47. Jeff Weaver (12-12) allowed seven runs in 4 1-3 innings.
Cubs 5, Pirates 4, 10 innings
At Pittsburgh, Salomon Torres' wild pitch allowed the go-ahead run to score in the 10th inning, and Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer for Chicago.
The Cubs couldn't hold a 4-1 lead, with the Pirates tying it in the ninth on Jack Wilson's RBI single, but rallied to win their 10th in 13 games.
Phillies 4, Marlins 2
At Miami, Cory Lidle (10-12) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Ryan Madson escaped a jam, and Philadelphia ended two years of frustration in Florida.
The Phillies had lost 14 consecutive games in Miami, including seven this season.
Three walks and a passed ball helped Philadelphia score four runs in the first off Dontrelle Willis (10-10). Billy Wagner completed the three-hitter for his 18th save.
Philadelphia improved to 2-11 against the Marlins this year and beat them for only the fourth time in 27 meetings. Florida fell 5 1/2 games out in the wild-card race.
Braves 5, Reds 4
At Atlanta, John Thomson pitched seven strong innings, Julio Franco had three hits and the Braves reduced their magic number for winning the NL East to three.
Atlanta can clinch its 13th straight division title as soon as Thursday. Thomson (13-8) is 7-1 in his last 14 starts. John Smoltz earned his 40th save, the 150th of his career.
Expos 6, Mets 1
At Montreal, Tony Batista homered twice to reach 30 this season, Livan Hernandez pitched another complete game and the Expos won before just 3,839 at Olympic Stadium.
Hernandez (11-14) allowed six hits, including Mike Piazza's 20th homer, in his major league-leading ninth complete game. The Expos, last in the NL East since April 15, moved within one game of tying New York for fourth place in the division.
Brewers 6, Cardinals 4
At Milwaukee, Victor Santos (11-11) won for the second time in 12 starts and rookie Dave Krynzel scored three runs to help the Brewers stop a seven-game skid.
Dan Kolb got his 38th save, breaking the team record set by Bob Wickman in 1999.
The Cardinals, who clinched their third NL Central title in five years Saturday, rested five regulars. Jason Marquis (14-6) gave up four runs - three earned - in five innings.
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