Bonds Brings Giants Back Against Rockies

Barry Bonds worked on the home run record early and then helped the Giants rally with a late hit that stayed in the park. <br/><br/>Bonds hit career homer No. 743 in the fourth inning, then delivered a

Thursday, May 3rd 2007, 7:51 am

By: News On 6

Barry Bonds worked on the home run record early and then helped the Giants rally with a late hit that stayed in the park.

Bonds hit career homer No. 743 in the fourth inning, then delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning to lead San Francisco to a 5-3 victory at home over the Colorado Rockies.

Rockies reliever Manny Corpas had no choice but to pitch to Bonds with the bases loaded in the eighth. The pitcher replaced Jeff Francis (1-4) with runners on first and second after singles by Ryan Klesko and Randy Winn, then walked Rich Aurilia to bring up Bonds.

``Oh, man, that's a situation you hope for,'' Klesko said of seeing Bonds in the batter's box with the bases loaded. ``You've got to pitch to him with the bases loaded _ though I've seen them walk him with the bases loaded.''

Bonds left for a pinch runner after the hit and got a standing ovation.

He moved within 12 homers of Hank Aaron's career record of 755, hitting a two-run shot to right field in the fourth inning. With four RBIs on the night, he has 1,951 for his career, tying him with Stan Musial for fourth place on the all-time list.

Bonds connected for his ninth homer of the year on the first pitch from Francis and made the score 2-0.

It was Bonds' second career homer off Francis. The seven-time NL MVP waved his cap to the crowd when he came out to play left field in the top of the fifth. He flied out to right in the first and again in the sixth.

``Obviously it puts them in a tough spot to have to face Bonds with the bases loaded,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ``Barry had quite a night and that's always big when you can get a walk like that.''

Bonds had been intentionally walked seven times in his previous six games, including three times Friday at Arizona and twice in Monday's series opener with the Rockies.

Francis, one of 438 different pitchers to surrender a homer to Bonds, pitched effectively for 7 1-3 innings, but saw his losing streak go to four starts. Colorado lost its seventh straight three-game series.

``That pitch he hit off of Francis, there's not many guys in the game who are going to turn on that ball and keep it fair,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. ``If (his single) is pulled 4 more feet, we've got a chance at a double play.''

Brad Hennessey (1-1) pitched 1 1-3 innings for the win on a night closer Armando Benitez was unavailable because of a sore right knee.

Cubs 8, Pirates 6, comp. of susp. game

Cubs 7, Pirates 1

At Pittsburgh, Alfonso Soriano's hitting and Jason Marquis' pitching led Chicago two wins in one day.

Marquis (4-1) limited the Pirates to four hits over eight innings to win his fourth consecutive start and Soriano homered for the second time in two days in the regularly scheduled game.

A half hour before that game started, the Cubs completed an 8-6 win in a game suspended by a persistent rain with Chicago ahead 6-5 in the middle of the seventh Tuesday night.

Soriano was 8-for-15 in the three-game series, including a go-ahead homer Wednesday in the third inning off Ian Snell (2-2).

Brewers 4, Cardinals 0

Carlos Villanueva pitched four scoreless innings of relief for injured starter Chris Capuano, helping Milwaukee complete a sweep of the dazed St. Louis Cardinals.

With three consecutive wins over the reigning World Series champions, who still seem to be reeling after the death of reliever Josh Hancock, Milwaukee has won nine of 11 overall and has the best record in baseball at 18-9. St. Louis has lost five in a row.

Prince Fielder hit a two-run single off Anthony Reyes (0-5). Villanueva (2-0) allowed two hits and walked two.

Mets 6, Marlins 3

Oliver Perez struck out a season-high 10 and singled twice to start New York rallies, helping the Mets beat Florida to avoid a three-game sweep at home.

Perez (3-2) went 2-for-2 at the plate with a sacrifice bunt and scored twice. The left-hander allowed three runs _ one earned _ and three hits in 5 2-3 innings.

The Mets chased Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez (2-1) in the fourth. Billy Wagner worked the ninth for his fifth save.

Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 1

Mark Hendrickson allowed three hits over six-plus innings and Juan Pierre hit an RBI single after a costly error by rookie center fielder Chris Young in Los Angeles' home victory.

Hendrickson (2-0) struck out seven and walked one. Takashi Saito allowed Eric Byrnes' RBI single in the ninth before earning his eighth save.

Doug Davis (2-3) allowed an unearned run and five hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Braves 4, Phillies 3

Chipper Jones kept up his torrid hitting with a two-run double and the Atlanta bullpen shut down visiting Philadelphia.

Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer in the sixth off Braves starter Chuck James to tie it, but the Braves reclaimed the lead on Willie Harris' run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth.

Chad Paronto (1-0), Tyler Yates, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano each pitched a scoreless inning. Soriano earned his second save.

Phillies starter Freddy Garcia (1-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Astros 3, Reds 1

At Houston, Roy Oswalt gave up four hits and a run in eight stellar innings and rookie Hunter Pence got his first career RBI for the Astros.

Oswalt (4-2) didn't allow a hit until Adam Dunn's eighth homer in the fifth to make it 2-1. Dan Wheeler pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Reds starter Kyle Lohse (1-2) allowed eight hits and three runs in six innings.

Padres 7, Nationals 3

At San Diego, Adrian Gonzalez homered and the Padres roughed up local left-hander Matt Chico, who couldn't get out of the fourth inning.

The Padres lost their starter, Clay Hensley with a strained groin in the third inning. Doug Brocail (2-0) struck out one in two perfect innings for the win.

Chico (2-3) allowed the five runs in the fourth inning on three hits and three walks.