King of the World: Barry Bonds Chases Sadaharu Oh

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared on July 7 against the Reds at SBC Park. He batted fourth and played left field:

In the second, he flied to center.

In the fourth, he was called out on strikes.

In the sixth, he grounded into a 4-3 double play.

In the eighth, he grounded to third.

Final stats: 0-4

Season so far: .308 batting average (68-221). nine home runs, thirty-two runs batted in.

The Giants' final series before the All-Star break was a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals from July 8-10, We'll look at Bonds' involvement in that series next time,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the St, Louis Cardinals at SBC Park from July 8-10:

July 8 (played left field and batted third):

In the first, he grounded back to the mound,

In the third, his line drive was caught by Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds,

In the sixth, he flied to center.

In the eighth, he lined a 2-1 fastball from Cardinals reliever Alberto Reyes over the right field wall for his tenth homer of the season and career home run Number 788. The ball bounced into McCovey Cove. Final score: Cardinals 3, Giants 1.

Final stats: 1-4, home run.

Season so far: .307 batting average (69-225), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in,

Bonds now has 788 career home runs, He's twelve home runs away from eight hundred and eighty home runs behind Oh.

July 9 (played left field and batted fourth)

In the second, he singled to left.

In the fifth, he beat out a bouncer to second for an infield single and eventually scored on right fielder Michael Tucker's single to right,

In the seventh, he grounded to third,

Final stats: 2-3, run scored,

Season so far: .311 batting average (71-228), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in.

Bonds was out of the lineup for the series finale on Sunday, July 10, The Cardinals won 4-3.

Next: The Giants begin the second half with a four-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the four-game series between the Giants and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium from July 14-17:

July 14 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he grounded to first.

Jn the fourth, he flied to right.

In the sixth, he singled to left.

In the eighth. he flied to center. Final score: Giants 4, Dodgers 3.

Final stats: 1-4

Season so far: ,310 batting average (72-232), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in.

July 15 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he grounded to short.

In the third, he beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single and eventually scored on second baseman Ray Durham's double to right,

In the fifth, he singled to center.

In the seventh, he beat out a grounder to third for an infield single.

In the ninth, he struck out swinging. Final score: Giants 6, Dodgers 0.

Final stats: 3-5, run scored.

Season so far: .316 batting average (75-237), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in.

July 16 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he doubled to left and eventually scored on shortstop Deivi Cruz's double to left.

In the third, he flew to center.

In the fifth, he grounded to third.

In the seventh, he popped to third. Final score: Dodgers 5, Giants 4.

Final stats: 1-4, run scored.

Season so far: .315 batting average (76-241), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in.

July 17 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he flew to left.

In the fourth, he grounded to third.

In the sixth, he singled to left.

In the eighth, he singled to center. Final score: Giants 4, Dodgers 1.

Final stats: 2-4.

Season so far: .318 batting average (78-245), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in.

The Giants headed home on Monday, July 18 to open a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Bonds had played four full games against the Dodgers, so he was excused by manager Felipe Alou. The Giants, playing a man short, lost to the Braves 6-1. Bonds returned to the lineup for Game 2 of the series on Tuesday, July 19.

Next: The Giants finish the series against the Braves on July 19 and 20,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared against the Atlanta Braves at SBC Park on July 19 and 20:

In the first, he grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

In the fourth, he singled to left.

In the seventh, he doubled off the wall in left and eventually scored on third baseman Pedro Feliz's three-run homer.

In the eighth, he bounced into a force play, Final score: Giants 5, Braves 4.

Final stats: 2-4, run scored.

Season so far: .321 batting average (80-249), ten home runs, thirty runs batted in.

Bonds sat out again on Wednesday, July 20. The Braves won the series finale, 4-1.

Next: Bonds and the Giants welcome the Florida Marlins for the start of a three-game series on Friday, July 22.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series against the Florida Marlins at SBC Park from July 22-24:

July 22 (played left field and batted sixth):

In the second, he singled to left. Second baseman Ray Durham and third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo scored,

In the third, he hit an 0-2 fastball from Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis over the wall in right field for a two-run homer, with Durham also on base. It was his eleventh homer of the season and career homer Number 789. The ball bounced into McCovey Cove.

In the fifth, he singled to left.

In the seventh, he flew to left. Final score: Giants 8, Marlins 5.

Note: Bonds moved to third base in the top of the eighth inning,

Final stats: 3-4, home run, three RBIs.

Season so far: .328 batting average (83-253), eleven home runs, thirty-three runs batted in.

Bonds now has 789 career home runs. He's eleven home runs away from eight hundred and seventy-nine behind Oh.

Bonds sat out the second game of the series on Saturday, July 23, and the Marlins romped, 16-4. He was also absent from the lineup on Sunday, July 24, and the Fish prevailed again, 4-1.

The Giants began a three-game series against the Cubs on Monday, July 25, but Bonds was absent due to an undisclosed illness, The Cubs won, 3-2. Bonds returned to the lineup on Tuesday, July 26.

Next: The final two games of the Giants' series against the Cubs on July 26-27,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the final two games of the Giants' series against the Cubs on July 26-27:

In the second, he singled to center.

In the fourth, he lined to short.

In the sixth, he reached on a fielder's choice.

In the eighth, he lined to second.

In the tenth, he struck out swinging. Final score: Giants 3, Cubs 2.

Final stats: 1-5.

Season so far: ;326 batting average (84-258), eleven home runs, thirty-three runs batted in.

July 27 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he flew to right.

In the fourth, he grounded to short.

In the fifth, he struck out swinging.

In the seventh, he walked.

In the ninth, he was called out on strikes. Final score: Cubs 4, Giants 3.

Final stats: 0-4, walk.

Seasom so far: .321 batting average (84-262), eleven home runs, thirty-three runs batted in,

On Thursday, July 28, the Giants moved on to Miller Park in Milwaukee to open a four-game series against the Brewers. We'll see what Bonds did in that series next time,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the four-game series between the Giants and the Brewers at Miller Park between July 28-31:

July 28 (played left field and batted seventh):

in the second, he flew to center.

In the fifth, he popped to first.

In the seventh, he grounded to short.

In the ninth, he walked and stole second. Final score: Giants 3, Brewers 0.

Final stats: 0-3, walk, stolen base.

Season so far: .317 batting average (84-265), eleven home runs, thirty-three runs batted in.

July 29 (played left field and batted sixth):

In the first, he grounded to second.

In the fourth, he walked.

In the sixth, he walked again.

In the eighth, with left fielder Moises Alou at first, he hit an 0-1 curveball from Brewers reliever Matt Wise over the wall in left for his twelfth home run of the year and career home run Number 790,

In the ninth, he flew to center, Final score: Giants 7, Brewers 6,

Final stats: 1-3, two walks, home run, two RBIs.

Note: Bonds moved from left field to third base in the bottom of the seventh.

Season so far: .317 batting average (85-268). twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in,

Bonds now has 790 career home runs. He's ten home runs away from eight hundred and seventy-eight behind Oh.

July 30 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he grounded to third.

In the fourth, he lined to left.

In the sixth, he flew to left. Final score: Brewers 7, Giants 1,

Final stats: 0-3.

Note: Bonds left the game after eight innings.

Season so far: .314 batting average (85-271), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in,

July 31 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he was called out on strikes.

In the fourth, he flew to center.

In the seventh, he walked and eventually scored on third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo's single to left.

In the ninth, he singled to right. Final score: Brewers 3, Giants 1.

Final stats: 1-3, walk, run scored.

Season so far: ,314 batting average (86-274), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in.

On Tuesday, August 2, the Giants opened a three-game series against the Rockies at SBC Park, Bonds made a plate appearance in the second inning and drew a walk, then left the game with a calf cramp, The Giants lost, 4-3. He was held out of the next two games as a precaution; the Giants lost 3-2 on August 3 but won 6-4 on August 4.

Bonds returned to the lineup the following night when the Giants welcomed the Astros to SBC Park for the first of a three-game series. We'll see how he did in our next post.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Let's see how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Astros from SBC Park from August 5-7:

August 5 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he walked,

In the third, he singled to center, Center fielder Randy Winn scored.

In the fifth, he grounded to short.

In the eighth, he bounced into a force play. Winn scored. Final score: Giants 4, Astros 0,

Final stats: 0-3, walk, RBI.

Season so far: .310 batting average (86-277), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in.

August 6 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he flew to right.

In the third, he grounded to second.

In the fifth, he singled to left.

In the seventh, he flew to center. Final score: Giants 5, Astros 2.

Final stats: 1-4

Season so far: .310 batting average (87-281), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in.

Bonds sat out the final game of the series on Sunday, August 7, The Astros won, 8-1,

On Tuesday, August 9, the Giants began a season-long thirteen-game road trip by calling on the Braves at Turner Field in Atlanta, We'll see how Bonds fared in that game and the rest of the series in our next post.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Let's see how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Braves at Turner Field from August 9-11:

August 9 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he grounded to third,

In the third, he walked.

In the sixth, he grounded to short,

In the eighth, he flew to center. Final score: Braves 7, Giants 1.

Final stats: 0-3, walk.

Season so far: .306 batting average (87-284), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in.

Bonds sat out the second game of the series on Wednesday, August 10, The Braves won 5-4 in thirteen innings, He returned to the lineup on Thursday, August 11,

August 11 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he struck out swinging.

In the fourth, he struck out swinging again.

In the sixth, he struck out swinging a third time.

In the eighth, he walked and eventually scored on first baseman J.T. Snow's single to right. Final score: Giants 5, Braves 3.

Final stats: 0-3, walk, run scored.

Season so far: .303 batting average (87-287), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in.

Next: The Giants' road trip makes its second stop, as they call on the Marlins for a three-game series at Dolphins Stadium from August 12-14.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Marlins at Dolphins Stadium from August 12-14:

August 12 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he popped to first.

In the fourth, he flew to left.

In the seventh, he flew to center.

In the ninth, he popped up to Marlins backup catcher Ryan Jorgensen, Final score: Giants 1, Marlins 0.

Final stats: 0-4

Season so far: ,299 (87-291), twelve home runs, thirty-five runs batted in.

August 13 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he hit a 2-2 slider from Marlins starting pitcher Josh Beckett over the center field wall for his thirteenth home run of the season and career home run Number 791.

In the fourth, he grounded to third.

In the seventh, he singled to center.

In the ninth, he popped to second. Final score: Marlins 2, Giants 1.

Final stats: 2-4, home run.

Season so far: .302 batting average (89-295), thirteen home runs, thirty-six runs batted in.

Bonds now has 791 career home runs. He's nine away from eight hundred and seventy-seven behind Oh.

He sat out the final game of the series on Sunday, August 14. The Marlins won, 4-1.

The Giants' next stop was Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where the Giants opened a four-game series against the Reds on Monday, August 15, Bonds' sore knees prevented him from playing in that game, and the Giants won 7-3. Bonds returned to the lineup for the second game of the series on Tuesday, August 16.

Next: The final three games of the Giants-Reds series.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the final three games of the Giants' series against the Reds from August 16-18:

August 16 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he beat out a grounder to third for an infield single and eventually scored on second baseman Deivi Cruz's double to left.

In the third, he doubled to left. First baseman Lance Niekro scored. (Due to a Reds' error on the play, no RBI was awarded.)

In the fifth, he singled to left and eventually scored on Cruz's three-run homer.

In the seventh, he tripled to center and scored on third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo's single to right,

In the ninth, he doubled to left and eventually scored on Cruz's single to left. Final score: Giants 10, Reds 8,

Final stats: 5-5, four runs scored.

Season so far: .313 batting average (94-300), thirteen home runs, thirty-six runs batted in,

August 17 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he grounded to second.

In the fifth, he doubled to center and eventually scored on pitcher Noah Lowry's single to left.
.
In the sixth, he singled to center,

In the eighth, he singled to left. Final score: Giants 3, Reds 2.

Final stats: 3-4, run scored.

Season so far: .319 batting average (97-304), thirteen home runs, thirty-six runs batted in,

Bonds sat out the final game of the series on Thursday, August 18. The Reds won, 4-2. Bonds returned to the lineup for the first game of the Giants' series with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St, Louis the following night, We'll look at that series in our next post,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Cardinals at Busch Stadium from August 19-21:

August 19 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he struck out swinging.

In the fourth, he grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

In the seventh, he grounded to third.

In the ninth, he singled to left. At that point, he left the game for a pinch runner, Final score: Cardinals 5, Giants 4,

Final stats: 1-4

Season so far: .318 batting average (98-308), thirteen home runs, thirty-six runs batted in.

Bonds sat out the second game of the series on Saturday, August 20. The Cardinals won, 4-2. He returned to the lineup for the series finale on Sunday, August 21.

August 21 (played left field and batted sixth):

In the second, he flew to left,

In the fourth, he doubled to center. Right fielder Moises Alou scored. Bonds eventually scored on third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo's single to right.

In the sixth, he flew to center.

In the eighth, he was called out on strikes. Final score: Giants 4, Cardinals 2.

Final stats: 1-4, run scored, RBI.

Season so far: .317 batting average (99-312). thirteen home runs, thirty-seven runs batted in.

On Monday, August 22, the Giants returned home to open a three-game series against the Phillies at SBC Park, We'll look at that series in our next post.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Phillies and the Giants at SBC Park from August 22-24:

August 22 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he struck out swinging,

In the third, with shortstop Omar Vizquel and first baseman J,T, Snow on base, he hit a 1-1 slider from Phillies starter Jon Lieber over the right field wall and into McCovey Cove on the fly for a three-run homer. It was his fourteenth home run of the year and career homer Number 792. Final score: Giants 5, Phillies 0.

In the fifth, he grounded back to the mound.

In the seventh, he grounded to third,

Final stats: 1-4, home run, three RBIs.

Season so far: ,316 batting average (100-316), fourteen home runs, forty RBIs.

Bonds now has 792 career home runs. He's eight away from eight hundred and seventy-six behind Oh.

August 23 (played left field and batted fourth);

In the first, he hit a sacrifice fly to center, Center fielder Randy Winn scored,

In the fourth, he lined out to center.

In the sixth, he grounded to third.

In the ninth, he lined to second. Final score: Phillies 10, Giants 2.

Final stats: 0-4, RBI.

Season so far: ,313 batting average (100-320), fourteen home runs, forty-one runs batted in,

August 24 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he singled to center.

In the third, he tripled to left. He eventually scored on second baseman Ray Durham's grounder to second.

In the fifth, he walked.

In the seventh, he walked again.

Final stats: 2-2, run scored.

Season so far: .317 batting average (102-322), fourteen home runs, forty-one runs batted in,

After a day off, the Giants returned to action on Friday, August 26 against the Mets at SBC Park, Bonds was out of the lineup as the Mets posted a 1-9 victory. He remained out for the Giants' 2-1 victory on August 27, He returned for the series finale on August 28, and we'll see how he did in our next post.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the Giants' game against the Mets on August 28 at SBC Park:

In the first, he walked.

In the third, he grounded to third.

In the sixth, he flew to center.

In the seventh, he flew to left, Final score: Giants 4, Mets 1.

Final stats: 0-3, walk.

Final season totals: .314 batting average (102-325), fourteen home runs, forty-one runs batted in.

On Monday, August 29, the Giants opened a three-game series against the Rockies at SBC Park, Bonds sat out all three games to rest his battered knees. The Rockies prevailed 2-1 on August 29, but the Giants won the next two games, 4-3 on August 30 and 5-3 on August 31,

This ends our examination of Bonds' 2005 season, Bonds finishes the year with 792 home runs, eight away from eight hundred and seventy-six behind Sadaharu Oh,

In our next post, we'll resume our look at his 1999 season with the Giants' May 11 game against the Braves at 3Com (Candlestick) Park.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's May 11, 1999, and the Giants are entertaining the Braves in the second of a three-game series at 3Com Park, Odalis Perez is pitching for the Braves, while Shawn Estes is on the hill for the Giants, Bonds is leading off and playing left field. In real life, the Braves won 9-8 in twelve innings.

First, let's detail Bonds' evening:

He led off the bottom of the first with a single to right center.

In the bottom of the third, he grounded to short.

In the bottom of the sixth, he took a called third strike.

In the eighth, he walked,

Bonds finished one for three plus a walk. He now has 101 hits in 386 at-bats for an average of .262 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-two runs batted in, He's drawn eighty-three walks and struck out sixty-eight times.

Now let's look at the game action:

The Braves scored twice in the top of the first against Estes. Left fielder Gerald Williams led off the game by beating out a bouncer to third for an infield single. He was forced by second baseman Bret Boone, who then stole second. Third baseman Chipper Jones' single to left scored Williams to put the Braves up 1-0. Right fielder Brian Jordan's single to left center moved Chipper to third, After center fielder Andruw Jones struck out swinging, first baseman Brian Hunter singled to left center for the fourth Atlanta hit of the inning. Chipper scored easily, and it was 2-0 Braves.

In the top of the fourth, the Braves added to their lead, Chipper began the inning by hitting Estes' second pitch into the left fields upper deck for his forty-sixth home run of the year to give the Braves a 3-0 lead. He's now in third place by himself in the National League home run race and in fifth place by himself in the overall home run race.

Next up was Jordan, who made it back-to-back dingers over the wall in left and a 4-0 Atlanta lead. This was Jordan's twenty-third homer of the year.

The Braves added another run in the fourth. Wiliams led off with a bloop single to left, then stole second. With Boone at the plate, Estes and catcher Scott Servais caught Williams leaning the wrong way off of second base, but Servais' attempted pickoff throw bounced off of second baseman Jeff Kent's glove, allowing Williams to go to third, Boone hit a fly ball to left; Bonds made the catch, but his throw home was late, and it was 5-0 Atlanta.

The Braves scored their final run in the sixth. Willams doubled to center with one out and scored on Boone's single to left,

The Giants finally got on the board with two out in the bottom of the ninth when J.T. Snow hit his twenty-seventh home run of the year into the third row in right field. Final score: Braves 6, Giants 1.

Chipper was named Player of the Game; he was three for five with two runs scored, a home run and two runs batted in,

Final totals: Braves 6-14-0, Giants 1-5-2.

W- O. Perez (5-6)
L- Estes (11-12)

HR: ATL: C. Jones (46), Jordan (23)
SF: Snow (27)

(Note: Jordan hit a home run in the real-life game as well.)

DW- Rocker (3-5)
DL- F. Rodriguez (2-1)

LHR- ATL: A. Jones (25)

The series will wrap up tomorrow night at 3Con Park. Kevin Millwood will take the mound for the Braves, while Chris Brock pitches for the Giants,

Next: Game 3 between the Braves and the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Wednesday, May 12, and time for the final game of the three-game series between the Braves and the Giants at 3Com Paek, In real life, the Giants won, 5-1, Bonds in in left field and batting second, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life:

First, let's examine Bonds' at-bats:

In the first, his fly ball down the left field line was caught by Braves left fielder Otis Nixon,

In the third, his fly ball to right was caught at the wall by Brian Jordan,

In the sixth, his fly ball to deep right center was caught at the warning track by Braves center fielder Andruw Jones.

In the eighth, he flew to left.

Bonds finished hitless in four at-bats. He now has 101 hits in 390 at-bats for a batting average of .259 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-two runs batted in,

I forgot to save the rest of my game recap, but the Braves won, 10-1. Giants starter Chris Brock gave up solo home runs to Otis Nixon, Chipper Jones, and Ryan Klesko in the first inning. I also deleted my sim, so I can't tell you much more. I do remember that Millwood went the distance and pitched a five-hitter.

Final totals: Braves 10-15-0, Giants 1-5-0.

W- Millwood (19-6)
L- Brock (7-9)

HR- ATL: C. Jones (47), Klesko I26), Nixon (1)

Note: Klesko also hit a home run in the real-life game.

Here are the updated standings in the NL West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 87-75- 12 GB
Dodgers: 75-87- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88-23 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the East:

Braves: 104-58
New York Mets: 86-76- 8 GB
Philadelphia Phillies: 77-85- 27 GB
Montreal Expos: 68-94- 36 GB
Florida Marlins: 64-98- 40 GB

In real time, the Giants were 22-13 and led the NL West by two games over the Diamondbacks,

Next: The Giants invade the Astrodome in Houston for a three-game series against the Astros on Friday, May 14. Kirk Rueter will start the opener for the Giants, to be opposed by the Astros' Shane Reynolds.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Friday, May 14, and we're at the Astrodome in Houston for the first game of a three-game series between the Giants and the Astros. Kirk Ruster is on the mound for the Giants, while Shane Reynolds pitches for the Astros. In real life, the Astros won 7-4. Bonds is in left field and batting second, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life.

Let's look at Bonds' at-bats first:

In the top of the first, Marvin Benard led off with a walk, After Bonds struck out swinging, Ellis Burks whacked a ball past Astros starting pitcher Shane Reynolds and into center field for a base hit to put runners at the corners. Jeff Kent followed with a double down the left field line that scored both Benard and Burks to give the Giants a 2-0 lead.

In the third, he took a called third strike,

In the fifth, he grounded to short.

In the eighth, Benard led off with a triple into the right field corner Bonds' base hit to right brought him home, and the Giants led 5-1. Burks forced Bonds for out number one, but Kent walked to put two men on. After J.T. Snow was called out on strikes, Charlie Hayes singled up the middle to score Burks and make it 6-1.

Bonds finished one for four with a run batted in. He now has 102 hits in 394 at-bats for a batting average of .259 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-three runs batted in. He has now struck out sixty-nine times this season.

Now let's look at the rest of the game action:

In the top of the fourth, Snow singled to left center with one out. Hayes singled up the middle to put two men on. Brent Mayne followed with a double off the wall in right that brought Snow home to make it 3-0. That was followed by Rich Aurilia's base hit to center. Hayes scored the fourth Frisco run, and Mayne was waved around third by Giants third base coach Sonny Jackson. Astros center fielder Carl Everett made a perfect throw to the plate, and Mayne was out by five feet.

The Astros scored their lone run of the night in the bottom of the fifth, Everett walked with one out and scored when catcher Tony Eusebio doubled down the left field line,

Final totals: Giants 6-10-0, Astros 1-3-0.

W- Rueter (16-9)
L- Reynolds (15-15)

DS- HOU: Wagner (38)

Giants starting pitcher Kirk Rueter was named Player of the Game. He held the Astros to one run on three hits over seven and two-thirds innings while throwing 104 pitches.

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 89-73- 10 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the Central:

(tie) Astros: 96-66
(tie) Reds: 96-66
Pirates: 77-84- 18.5 GB
(tie) Cardinals: 75-86- 20.5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 75-86- 20.5 GB
Cubs: 67-95- 29 GB

In real time, the Giants were 23-13 and led the NI West by two and a half games over the Dodgers.

Next: The Giants try to make it two in a row over the Stros on Saturday, May 15. Mark Gardner pitches for the Giants, while Mike Hampton takes the hill for the Stros,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I know that I keep detouring away from 1999, but I just remembered that Bonds didn't play in three games in the 1994 strike year, which I thought we'd disposed of. I'd like to take care of those before we go any further.

The first of these was an April 23 game against the Mets at Candlestick Park. Bonds didn't play in our universe either, but the Giants took care of business with a 10-1 throttling that included four home runs, Center fielder Darren Lewis took Mets starter Eric Hillman deep in the bottom of the first to start, and the home squad also got home runs from third baseman Matt Williams, his eventual defensive replacement Mike Benjamin, and shortstop Royce Clayton, Starting pitcher Bryan Hickerson held the Metsies to one run on five hits over seven innings.

The second game that Bonds missed in real life was a May 5 tilt against the Dodgers at Candlestick. J can work with this game, so I'll detail it in the post below,

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Thursday, May 5. 1994, and the Giants are hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of a four-game series at Candlestick Park, Ramon Martinez is pitching for the Dodgers, while John Burkett takes the hill for the Giants, Bonds is in left field and batting third, just as his replacement Dave Martinaz did in real life, The Dodgers won the real-life game, 9-6.

Let's detail Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, he walked,

In the third, he singled to center, but was thrown out trying to steal second.

In the sixth, he struck out swinging,

In the eighth, he singled to left center.

Bonds finished two for three plus a walk, I don't have full stats for him, since his last forty-seven games were simmed, but for the pre-strike portion of the year he's batting .315 (124-394) with thirty-seven home runs and eighty-one runs batted in, He's now walked seventy-five times and struck out forty-four times.

Now let's look at the rest of the game action:

The Giants scored first in the bottom of the second. Shortstop Royce Clayton walked, then stole second. First baseman Todd Benzinger's single to right brought him home, and the home squad led 1-0,

The Dodgers took the lead for good with two runs in the third. Martinez led off with a double to left, After two outs, catcher Mike Piazza dropped another double squarely in the left center power alley to score Martinez and tie the game. Third baseman Tim Wallach followed with a base hit to left center that scored Piazza and put the Dodgers in front 2-1.

The Men in Blue added two more runs in the fifth. Second baseman Delino DeShields led off with a single to left, then stole second. Center fielder Brett Butler walked to put two men on, and Piazza followed with a base hit to left center that scored DeShields and gave the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Butler came home when Wallach bounced into a 6-4-3 double play, and the visitors led 4-1.

The Giants crept a run closer with one out in the bottom of the ninth when Benzinger hit Martinez's final pitch of the night over the center field wall to cut the Los Angeles lead to 4-2. It was Benzinger's eighteenth home run of the year. Todd Worrell got the final two outs for the Dodgers to earn the save,

Final totals: Dodgers 4-12-0, Giants 2-9-0,

Pitchers' records remain the same.

S- Worrell (14)

HR- SF: Benzinger (18)

LHR- SF: Williams (64)
LA: Piazza (41), Karros (16), Butler (11)

The other 1994 game that Bonds missed came the very next day, May 6, and we'll have that one for you next time, The Dodgers will send Pedro Astacio to the mound, while the Giants counter with Bill Swift.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Friday, May 6, 1994, and the Giants are hosting the Dodgers in the second game of a four-game series at Candlestick Park, Pedro Astacio is on the mound for the Dodgers, and he's opposed by the Giants' Bill Swift. Bonds will play left field and is batting fifth, as his replacement Mark Carreon did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 2-1.

Let's document Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he led off with a single to right center. Shortstop Royce Clayton bunted him over to second, and he stole third. He scored on first baseman Todd Benzinger's single to right, and the game was tied at one.

In the fourth, he lined a single up the middle and stole second.

In the sixth, he struck out swinging,

In the eighth, third baseman Matt Williams led off with a home run into the right field stands off of Dodgers reliever Roger McDowell that tied the game at five. It was his sixty-fifth home run of the season. Bonds followed with a lined single to right center.

In the bottom of the ninth with the Dodgers leading 6-5. center fielder Darren Lewis lined a one-out single to right center, then stole second. Second baseman Robby Thompson beat out a bouncer to second for an infield single, and there were runners at the corners, Right fielder Dave Martinez walked to load the bases, but Williams took a called third strike from Dodgers closer Todd Worrell for the second out. It came down to Worrell against Bonds, and on the two-one pitch, Worrell got Barry to lift a harmless-looking fly to right, Raul Mondesi figured to have an easy catch, but he was playing so deep that he got to the ball just as it dropped in and rolled past him. Lewis and Thompson raced home, and the Giants had an improbable 7-6 win.

Bonds finished three for five with a run scored and two stolen bases, He finished the pre-strike portion of the season batting .318 (127-399) with thirty-seven home runs and eighty-one runs batted in. His pair of stolen bases give him thirty-one for the year and a sixth season in his career with thirty homers and thirty stolen bases, the most in MLB history,

If we add in the simmed stats from the Pythagorean Universe thread, he finished with fifty-one home runs,, which means that he just finished baseball's first-ever 50-30 season. (We haven't done 1993 yet, but he has an outside shot at another 50-30 year, as he has three games to steal one base and hit four home runs,) He finished the pre-strike portion of the year with forty-five strikeouts.

For the purposes of this timeline, he's on an eight-game homerless streak going "back" to the August 22, 2005 game against the Phillies at SBC Park,

Now let's check out the rest of the game action:

The Dodgers scored first against Giants starter Bill Swift, With two out in the top of the first, Mike Piazza singled up the middle. Tim Wallach's base hit to left center put runners at the corners, and left fielder Henry Rodriguez lined a single to left center that scored Piazza and gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

The Men in Blue broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the fifth. With one out, center fielder Brett Butler's bloop landed in short center field for a base hit. Shortstop Jose Offerman followed with a double off the wall in left that scored Butler and gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. He held at second while Piazza was retired on a comebacker to Swift, but scored on Wallach's base hit to left center, extending the Dodgers' lead to 3-1.

The Giants scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to retake the lead. With one out, Benzinger singled to right. After catcher Kirt Manwaring struck out swinging for out number two, Mark Carreon batted for Swift and hit a fly ball to right center that bounced over the wall on a hop for a book-rule double, Benzinger had to stop at third. Lewis walked to load the bases, and Thompson unloaded them by lining a ball inside the third base bag and down into the left field corner. The Giants led 4-3 after three.

The Dodgers went back in front with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth, Mondesi doubled to center with one out. Second baseman Delino DeShields' liner was caught by Clayton at short for out number one, and Mitch Webster came to the plate to bat for reliever Jim Gott. After taking a ball Webster smacked Monteleone's next pitch over the wall in right for a two-run pinch-hit home run and a 5-4 Los Angeles lead.

After the Giants tied the game in the eighth, the Dodgers used the long ball again to take the lead with one out in the top of the ninth when Rodriguez hit a 1-2 fastball from new Giants pitcher Dave Burba down the left field line and over the wall to give the visitors a 6-5 advantage,

Final totals: Dodgers 7-12-0, Giants 6-13-1.

W- Burba (6-8)
L- Worrell (8-7)

HR- LA: Rodriguez (13), Webster (7)
SF: Williams (65)

DW- Swift (7-8)
DS- Beck (37)
DL- Astacio (11-9)

Next: Back to Friday, May 15, 1999, and Game 2 between the Giants and the Astros at the Astrodome. Mark Gardner will start for the Giants, while Mike Hampton pitches for the Astros.

Thoughts?