Chicago ? The Associated Press

Cubs 9, Giants 8

Barry Bonds’ worst slump is over and Hank Aaron’s record can’t be far behind.

Bonds moved within two home runs of Aaron’s record Thursday, sending No. 752 over the right-field bleachers on the first pitch he saw, and No. 753 into the basket of the center-field wall.

The San Francisco slugger returned to the starting lineup for the first time in four games after resting his sore legs, though his two homers weren’t enough for the Giants in a loss to surging Chicago.

Bonds didn’t just clear the fences in the second inning when he crushed the specially monogrammed ball for his 18th homer of the season and first in 25 at-bats, he cleared the bleachers altogether.

Today, the chase moves to Miller Park in Milwaukee, the city where Aaron both started and ended his career. It’s also the home of commissioner Bud Selig, who hasn’t said whether he’ll be in the seats as Bonds attempts to make history.

Brewers 10, Diamondbacks 1

Milwaukee – Rookie Yovani Gallardo pitched six shutout innings, and Tony Graffanino homered to help Milwaukee beat Arizona. Gallardo (2-1) gave up three hits, walked two and struck out four. He started in place of Brewers ace Ben Sheets, who was put on the disabled list Monday with a sprained right middle finger.

Nationals 5, Rockies 4, 10 innings

Washington – D’Angelo Jimenez’s first hit in 20 at-bats as a pinch hitter this season was a game-ending RBI single with one out in the 10th inning, giving Washington a comeback victory over Colorado.

Braves 10, Cardinals 1

Atlanta – Andruw Jones homered and drove in three runs to back seven strong innings by Tim Hudson, and Atlanta ended a three-game skid with a victory over St. Louis.

Reds 7, Marlins 5

Miami – Ryan Freel hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Cincinnati won its fourth game in a row by rallying past Florida. The Reds blew an early 3-0 lead and trailed 5-3 before scoring four runs in the eighth against Armando Benitez (2-5). Freel capped the comeback with his third home run, giving him 15 RBIs this season.

Padres 1, Phillies 0

San Diego – Chris Young gave up two hits in seven innings, and Brian Giles’ RBI double provided all the offense San Diego needed in the Padres’ victory over Philadelphia.

Young (9-3) did not allow a runner to reach third base as he struck out six and issued three walks, all to Ryan Howard. Young lowered his major-league leading ERA to 1.85 as he won his fifth straight decision.

Mets 13, Dodgers 9

Los Angeles – Carlos Delgado and Ramon Castro hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning, Carlos Beltran added a solo shot in the eighth, and the NL East-leading New York beat Los Angeles.

Every Met scored in the opener of the four-game series. The teams combined for 35 hits.