For one night, Berkman stands with Bonds

While Barry Bonds chases history, he was caught by Lance Berkman on one powerful night.

Berkman became the first player this season to homer three times in a game in the Houston Astros' 8-3 victory Tuesday night in Cincinnati over the Reds. With seven homers, the outfielder is tied with Bonds for the major league lead.

"The season's built around singles and base hits," Berkman said. "You can't always hit the ball out of the ballpark."

Bonds, who hit a record 73 homers last year, is on a torrid pace again. He already passed Harmon Killebrew for sixth on baseball's career list, and his 574 clouts leave him nine behind Mark McGwire for fifth.

The Giants left fielder went 1-for-2 with three walks, two intentional, in San Francisco's 5-1 victory Tuesday over the Padres in San Diego.

In other NL games, it was: Montreal 8, Chicago Cubs 4; Florida 7, Philadelphia 6; New York Mets 3, Atlanta 1; Pittsburgh 5, Milwaukee 1; Colorado 6, Los Angeles 4; and Arizona 5, St. Louis 3.