SAN FRANCISCO – Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer in the first inning to support a strong effort by Kirk Rueter and help the San Francisco Giants beat the New York Mets 3-1 on Sunday.

Bonds’ 693rd career homer and 35th of the season highlighted a three-run first inning, giving Rueter all the offense he needed. Bonds’ 35th homer of the season landed in the back row of the right field bleachers, scoring Edgardo Alfonzo in front of him.

Bonds, who reached base seven straight times during the series, is 21 homers shy of tying Babe Ruth for second on baseball’s career list.

Rueter (7-9) allowed five hits in seven innings, his longest outing since pitching eight on May 7. He walked one and struck out one. Dustin Hermanson recorded the final four outs for his fifth save in six tries.

Cubs 11, Astros 6

HOUSTON – Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer, Moises Alou also homered and the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 11-6 on Sunday in the testy conclusion of a three-game series between the NL Central rivals.

Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, manager Dusty Baker and Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt were ejected Sunday after the right-handers plunked four players.

Wood, returning from a five-game suspension for arguing with an umpire, was ejected for hitting Jeff Kent with a pitch on the left arm. The right-hander had already hit two other Astros – Mike Lamb and Carlos Beltran.

Plate umpire Bill Hohn threw Wood out of the game, and the two argued. Baker came out to argue the ejection and was also tossed by Hohn. The Cubs were leading 10-2 at the time, and Wood finished two outs short of earning his eighth win.

Oswalt was also tossed from the game in the third for hitting Michael Barrett in the back after allowing the homer to Ramirez.

Cardinals 11, Pirates 4

ST. LOUIS – Edgar Renteria capped a 13-pitch at-bat in the first inning with a three-run homer and matched his career high with five RBIs, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 11-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Larry Walker hit a grand slam, the seventh of his career and second in five days, in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach for the Cardinals, who have the majors’ best record at 82-42 after winning 15 of their last 19 games.

Braves 10, Dodgers 1

LOS ANGELES – Chipper Jones’ three-run homer capped an eight-run second inning, J.D. Drew hit a two-run double and the Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-1 on Sunday for a split of the four-game series.

Jaret Wright (12-6) won for the 10th time in 11 decisions, allowing a run and three hits in seven innings. He walked none and struck out seven, including Milton Bradley all three times up.

Phillies 9, Brewers 6

MILWAUKEE – Jason Michaels’ RBI single snapped a tie, and the Philadelphia Phillies scored five times in the 10th inning before holding off Milwaukee to earn a three-game sweep of the Brewers with a 9-6 victory Sunday.

Philadelphia entered the series following a seven-game losing streak, all at home, but they ended up sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee for the first time.

Marlins 8, Padres 3

SAN DIEGO – Carl Pavano pitched six solid innings, hit a home run and drove in two runs to lead the Florida Marlins to an 8-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Luis Castillo also drove in two runs for the Marlins, who won six of nine games on their road trip.

Reds 11, D-backs 1

PHOENIX – D’Angelo Jimenez hit a three-run homer and Sean Casey added a solo shot and an RBI double to lead the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-1 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Adam Dunn also hit a run-scoring double, and Darren Bragg and Ryan Freel had RBI singles for the Reds, who won their second road series since the All-Star break. Cincinnati has won three of its last four games overall.

Expos 8, Rockies 2

DENVER – Juan Rivera homered and drove in two runs, and Ryan Church had three hits and two RBIs in his major league debut as the Montreal Expos defeated the Colorado Rockies 8-2 on Sunday.

Rivera was 4-for-5 with three runs scored for the Expos, whose first five runs came with two outs.