SAN FRANCISCO – Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run Friday night, moving within one of tying Hank Aaron's record.
Bonds sent a 2-1 pitch from Rick Vanden Hurk over the wall in left-center in the first inning against the Florida Marlins, giving the Giants a 2-1 lead on his 20th homer of the season.
The 43-year-old Bonds connected off his 444th pitcher — the first hailing from the Netherlands.
Bonds had gone homerless in five games he played and 18 at-bats since he connected twice against the Chicago Cubs on July 19 at Wrigley Field. Bonds had been 3-for-18 since his previous homer.
A "Road to History" tribute played on the main center-field scoreboard with a greeting from Michael Jordan.
Bonds reached 20 home runs for the 19th time in his 22-year career.
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