Bonds breaks a record, but it's not McGwire's home run mark

HOUSTON (AP) _ Barry Bonds set a record, but it wasn't the one fans were hoping to see. <br><br>The San Francisco Giants slugger, just one home run away from tying Mark McGwire's record, walked

Thursday, October 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ Barry Bonds set a record, but it wasn't the one fans were hoping to see.

The San Francisco Giants slugger, just one home run away from tying Mark McGwire's record, walked three times Wednesday, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season walks mark. He finished the night at 172 walks for the year, ahead of Ruth's 170.

Bonds is stuck on 69 home runs with four games left in the regular season. The Giants beat Houston on Wednesday, but remained two games back in the race for the National League West.

In a strange twist in the ninth inning, the crowd began chanting ``Barry! Barry!'' when he came out on deck, hoping to see him get one last chance to match McGwire's record of 70 home runs. The fans then booed when Rich Aurilia grounded out, ending the inning.