King of the World: Barry Bonds Chases Sadaharu Oh

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Saturday, May 15, 1999, and the Giants are taking on the Astros in Game 2 of a three-game series at the Astrodome. Mark Gardner is pitching for the Giants, while Mike Hampton takes the hill for the Astros. The Stros won the actual game 10-5. Bonds is in left field and will lead off, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life.

Let's document Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, he flew to right,

In the third, be bounced to short. After center fielder F.P. Santangelo grounded to first for the second out, Ellis Burks singled to right. After Jeff Kent walked to put two men on, Charlie Hayes singled to right center, Burks scored, and the Giants took a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth, he beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single. Santangelo did the same to put two men on, and Burks' grounder to short mover the runners up. After Kent grounded to third for the second out, Hayes stroked a single to left that scored them both to make it 3-0 Giants,

In the sixth, he singled to right.

In the eighth, he walked,

Bonds finished his evening two for four plus a walk with a run scored. He is now batting .261 (104-398) for the year with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-three runs batted in. He's drawn eighty-four walks and struck out seventy times. He didn't hit a home run, so his current homerless streak in this thread stands at nine games.

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

The Astros got on the board with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Second baseman Craig Biggio walked, then stole second. Giants starter Mark Gardner got the next two outs, as right fielder Derek Bell flew to right and first baseman Jeff Bagwell grounded to third. Now it was up to third baseman Ken Caminiti, and he delivered with a single to right that scored Biggio and cut the Frisco lead to 3-1,

The Astros added another run in the bottom of the seventh, Left fielder Richard Hidalgo led off with a single to left center. Catcher Paul Bako walked to put two men on, but was forced by shortstop Tim Bogar. Bill Spiers batted for starting pitcher Mike Hamptpn and hit a grounder to short that was muffed by Giants' shortstop Rich Aurilia. By the time he could secure it, Spiers had reached safely and Hidalgo had scored the second Houston run.

The Astros tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Caminiti drew a leadoff walk, then stole second. Center fielder Carl Everett's lined single to left put runners at the corners, and Hidalgo's base hit to left tied the game at three.

The visitors scored twice in the top of the ninth to take the lead. Burks led off with a single to left against new Houston pitcher Jay Powell, Kent was next, and he lined a double off the wall in right, Bell came up throwing, and the ball got to the plate on one hop, but Burks managed to slide safely around the tag of new Astros catcher Tony Eusebio, and the Giants led 4-3. Hayes lined to Bogar at short for out number two, but Aurillia's bloop single to right center brought Kent home to make it 5-3.

Robbie Nen came on in the bottom of the ninth to try to nail things down for the Boys from the Bay, but ran into trouble immediately when Biggio worked a leadoff walk, Bell took a called third strike, but Bagwell walked on a three-two pitch, and there were two men on. Caminiti was next, and his bullet to right banged off the wall for a double. Biggio and Bagwell both came home, and we were tied at five as the Astrodome went berserk. Everett's grounder to third moved Caminiti to third with two out, and then Jt was Hidalgo against Nen with the game on the line. On the one-one pitch, Hidalgo hit a line drive to left for a single that allowed Caminiti to come home, and the Astros prevailed, 6-5,

Hidalgo's game-winning hit netted him Player of the Game honors.

Final totals: Astros 6-9-0, Giants 5-11-1.

W- Miller (4-2)
L- Nen (3-9)

DW- Hampton (21-4)
DL- Gardner (5-10)

LHR- SF: Servais (4)
HOU: Bagwell (41), Biggio (15)

With tonight's lost home run, Bagwell falls into sixth place in the National League home run race and out of the overall top ten in the majors.

Next: The final game of the series between the Giants and the Astros on Sunday, May 16. Russ Ortiz will be on the mound for the Giants, while Sean Bergman takes the ball for the Astros.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Sunday, May 16, and we're at the Astrodome in Houston for the final game of the series between the Giants and the Astros. Russ Ortiz will pitch for the Giants, while Sean Bergman takes the hill for the Astros. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life, The Giants won the actual game 5-4 in eleven innings. This game was televised by ESPN as part of Sunday Night Baseball.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he lined to Jeff Bagwell at first.

In the fourth, Jeff Kent led off with a single to left center. Bergman threw a wild pitch that moved Kent to second, and J.T. Snow's grounder to second moved him to third. Bonds brought him home with a grounder to short, and the Giants trailed 7-1.

In the sixth, Kent singled to left, stole second, and moved to third on Snow's slow roller to first. Bonds' fly to the warning track in left allowed him to score, and the Giants trailed 7-3.

In the ninth, Bonds drew a leadoff walk. He scored on Charlie Hayes' double into the right center power alley, and the Giants were down 9-4. Brent Mayne's seeing-eye single to right put runners at the corners, and pinch hitter Armando Rios (batting for reliever Joe Nathan) bounced into a force play that eliminated Mayne but allowed Hayes to score. Our final: Astros 9, Giants 5.

Bonds finished hitless in two official at-bats plus a walk with a sacrifice fly and two RBis. At the moment, his batting average for the season is .260 (104-400(, with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-five runs batted in. He has now drawn eighty-five walks. His homerless streak in this thread now stands at ten games.

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

The Astros put the game out of reach early. scoring seven runs in the bottom of the third off of Giants starter Russ Ortiz. Shortstop Tim Bogar led off with a single to left, but was forced on Bergman's dribbler in front of the plate. A walk to Craig Biggio put two men on, and Derek Bell's single to left center scored Bregman with the game's first run, Jeff Bagwell was next, and he scorched Ortiz's one-one pitch down the left field line and into the corner. Biggio and Bell sprinted home to give the Stros a 3-0 lead while Bagwell pulled in at second with a double. Ken Caminiti was called out on strikes for out number two, but Carl Everett's single to left center scored Bagwell to make it 4-0,

With Richard Hidalgo at the plate, Everett stole second. Hidalgo eventually walked on five pitches, and catcher Tony Eusebio finished Ortiz's evening by doubling off the wall in right, Everett and Hidalgo scored, and it was 6-0 Houston. John Johnstone came out of the Frisco pen to face Bogar, who singled to left for his second hit of the inning. Eusebio scored easily, and the Astros led 7-0.

Trailing 7-1 in the fifth, the Giants cut into the Houston lead with another run. Mayne led off with a double into the right center power alley. After Johnstone took a called third strike for out number one, Benard lined another double to right center that scored Mayne to make it 7-2.

It was 7-3 in the sixth when the Astros tacked on a pair of insurance runs. Biggio drew a one-out walk. Bell followed with a bouncer to third that took a bad hop off of Hayes' glove. With two on, Bagwell stroked a single to left center that scored Biggio with the eighth Houston run and moved Bell to third, Felix Rodriguez came in to face Caminiti, who hit what looked like a routine double play grounder to second, But the ball took a bad hop that Kent couldn't handle, allowing Caminiti to reach and Bell to score run number nine. Final score: Astros 9, Giants 5,

Final totals: Astros 9-11-0, Giants 5-7-2.

W- Elarton (10-4)
L- Ortiz (18-9)

Bagwell was named Player of the Game by ESPN, He finished three for five with a run scored and three RBIs.

DW- Nen (2-9)
DS- Nathan

LHR- SF: Aurilia (21), Rios (5)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the Central:

Astros: 97-65
Reds: 96-66- 1 GB
Pirates: 77-84- 19.5 GB
(tie) Cardinals: 75-86- 21.5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 75-86- 21,5 GB
Cubs: 67-95- 30 GB

The following night (Monday, May 17), the Giants headed home to begin a three-game series against the Diamondbacks. Bonds had the night off as the visitors cruised to a 12-1-win, Former Giant Matt Williams began the evening with a three-run homer in the top of the first off of Giants starter Shawn Estes, and the Snakes put the game away with a five-run ninth keyed by a three-run homer by shortstop Danny Batista.

Bonds returned to action for Game 2 of the series on Tuesday, May 18.. Armando Reynoso went to the mound for the Snakes; the Giants countered with Chris Brock, We'll look at that game next time.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Tuesday, May 18, and the Giants are hosting the Diamondbacks in Game 2 of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Armando Reynoso will start for the D-Backs, while Chris Brock takes the hill for the Giants. Bonds is playing left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The D-Backs won the actual game, 7-3,

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he flew to center.

In the bottom of the third with one out, Brock lined a base hit to center. Marvin Benard walked, and third baseman Bill Mueller lined a base hit to right center to load the bases. D-Backs starter Armando Reynoso walked Ellis Burks on five pitches to force in Brock and give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Jeff Kent was next, and he lined a single to left. Benard scored to make it 2-0 Frisco while everyone else moved up ninety feet. J.T. Snow followed with another single to left that brought Mueller and Burks home to make it 4-0, and Bonds topped off the frame with a single to right that brought Kent home to make 5-0.

In the fifth, Bonds flew to shallow right center.

In the eighth, he grounded to third.

Bonds finished one for four with an RBI. He's batting .260 (105-404) for the season, with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-six runs batted in. His homerless streak in this thread now stands at eleven games.

I lost the sim before I could record any further game action. I have no totals, no Player of the Game, no winning and losing pitchers. I got Bonds' stats recorded, which is the point of this thread, so I'm going to let this post stand, as incomplete as it is. I remember that the Giants won 7-6 on a walkoff in the bottom of the ninth, so at least I can update the standings. I wish I could say I'll do better tomorrow, but there are no guarantees with computers,

I remember that catcher Kelly Stinnett hit a three-run homer for Arizona. so he still has fourteen home runs for the year, since he also hit a home run in real life. The two other real-life homers that the D-Backs hit are lost, and I'll record them below. I'm also 99.44 percent sure that Brock and Reynoso each had no-decisions, so I'll adjust their records accordingly. J.T. Snow hit a home run in real life for the Giants, and I can't account for their seventh run, so I'm going to let him keep it just in case.

DW- Reynoso (8-7)
DL- Brock (7-8)

LHR- ARZ: Gonzalez (24), Lee (8)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 98-64
Giants: 89-73- 9 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 21 GB
Padres: 74-88- 24 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 27 GB

In real time, the Giants were 25-15 and led the NL West by three games over the Diamondbacks.

Next: The Giants finish their series against the D-Backs on Wednesday, May 19 at 3Com Park, Andy Benes will start for the Diamondbacks, while Kirk Rueter takes the ball for the Giants,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Wednesday, May 19, and the Giants are hosting the Diamondbacks in the final game of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Andy Benes is pitching for the D-Backs, while Kirk Rueter takes the hill for the Giants. Bonds is playing left field and batting seventh, as his replacement F.P. Santangelo did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 8-3.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second with the Giants already trailing 10-0, J.T. Snow led off with a single to right, After Rich Aurilia struck out swinging, a wild pitch from D-Backs starter Andy Benes moved Snow to second. Bonds was next, and his double to right scored Snow and put the home squad on the board,

In the fifth, Bonds grounded to first,

In the sixth with the score 11-1 Arizona, Bill Mueller stroked a one-out single to left center. He was forced by right fielder Armando Rios for the second out, but walks to Kent and Snow loaded the bases. Aurilia's single to left center scored Rios and Kent to cut the D-Backs' lead to 11-3 and move Snow to third, and Bonds followed with a base hit up the middle that brought J.T. home with the fourth Frisco run,

In the eighth, Bonds bounced into a force play.

Bonds finished two for four with two RBIs. He now has 107 hits in 408 official at-bats for a batting average of .262 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-eight runs batted in, His homerless streak in this thread is at twelve games.

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

The D-Backs came out hitting, scoring five runs in the top of the first against Giants starter Kirk Rueter. Center fielder Steve Finley hit the second pitch of the game over the wall in right for a home run, his thirty-fifth of the year. Second baseman Jay Bell followed with a single to left, and left fielder Luis Gonzalez walked to put two men on. Rueter finally got an out when third baseman Matt Williams grounded to his counterpart Mueller, but the runners moved up ninety feet. First baseman Greg Colbrunn bounced to short for the second out, and right fielder Bernard Gilkey walked to load the bases.

The Giants thought they were out of trouble when catcher Danian Miller hit a harmless-looking grounder to third, but the ball managed to roll under Mueller's glove for an error, and Bell scampered home to make it 2-0 Snakes. Shortstop Tony Batista's base hit to left cashed in Gonzalez to make it 3-0, and Benes put the cherry on the sundae by lining a base hit to right center, Gilkey and Miller scored, and the D-Backs led 5-0,

The Snakes added five more runs in the second against Joe Nathan. Bell drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Gonzalez's single to right. Williams' base hit to right center loaded the bases, and Colbrunn walked on a three-two pitch to force Bell home and make it 6-0, Gilkey popped to Aurilia at short for out number one, but Nathan hung a one-one curveball to Miller and paid for it, as Damian hit a line-drive grand slam into the seats in left center to open up a 10-0 Arizona lead. The home run was Miller's eleventh of the year,

The D-Backs added a run in the sixth when Gonzalez hit a leadoff home run that just cleared the left field wall against new Giants pitcher John Johnstone, It was Gonzalez' twenty-fifth homer of the year, and the visitors led 11-1.

It was 11-4 in the eighth when the Snakes tacked on one last run. With one out against reliever Felix Rodriguez, Gilkey hit a line-drive home run into the third row of seats in left center, his ninth of the year. Our final: Diamondbacks 12, Giants 4.

Final totals: Diamondbacks 12-13-0, Giants 4-8-3.

W- Benes (14-11)
L- Rueter (15-10)

HR- ARZ: Finley (35), Gonzalez (26), D. Miller (11), Gilkey (9)

Note: Miller hit a home run in the real-life game as well.

I forgot to see who the sim picked as Player of the Game, but I'm going with Miller because of his grand slam.

LHR- SF: Kent (23), Aurilia (20)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In real time, the Giants were 25-16 and led the Diamondbacks and Dodgers by three games in the NL West.

Next: The Astros invade 3Com Park for a three-game series beginning Friday, May 21. Sean Bergman will start Game 1 for the Astros, while Mark Gardner takes the ball for the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Friday, May 21, and the Giants are welcoming the Houston Astros for the first of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Sean Bergman is pitching for the Astros, while Mark Gardner takes the hill for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 4-3.

Let's detail Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

In the fifth, his fly to deep center was caught at the wall by the Astros' Carl Everett,

In the seventh, he lined a one-out double to right. Rich Aurilia followed with a single to left that brought him home to cut the Astros' lead to 3-2,

In the ninth, he struck out swinging,

Bonds finished one for four with a run scored. He now has 108 hits in 412 official at-bats for an average of .262 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-eight runs batted in, He has now struck out seventy-one times in 1999. His homerless streak in this thread now stands at thirteen games.

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

With two out in the top of the first against Giants starter Mark Gardner, first baseman Jeff Bagwell hit a one-two fastball over the wall in left for a solo homer, his forty-second of the season. He is once again tied for fifth in the National League home run race and in a four-way tie in the overall major league race.

The Astros added another run in the fourth. Ken Caminiti walked with one out and scored on Everett's double down the right field line to give the Stros a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Caminiti hit a two-out solo homer to left, his fourteenth of the year, to extend the Houston lead to 3-0,

The Giants got on the board with a run in the sixth. Aurilia led off with a single to left center. Catcher Scott Servais followed with a base hit to right that put two men on. Armando Rios batted for Gardner, and his grounder to Bagwell at first moved the runners up. Marvin Benard walked to load the bases, and Astros manager Larry Dierker summoned Jay Powell from the bullpen to face Mueller. Bill hit a sharp grounder to third, and Caminiti charged the ball. came up with it, and fired a strike to Paul Bako at the plate. It looked like Bako had tagged Aurillia in time, but home plate umpire Brian Gorman called him safe, and the Giants were on the board. Both Dierker and Bako were ejected in the ensuing argument.

The Stros scored another run in the top of the eighth when second baseman Craig Biggio walked, stole second, and scored on right fielder Derek Bell's single to left.

The Giants completed the scoring with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Benard led off with a triple into the left field corner and scored on Mueller's grounder to second. Our final: Astros 4, Giants 3.

Final totals: Astros 4-6-0, Giants 3-6-0,

W- Bergman (5-6)
S- Wagner (40)
L- Gardner (5-11)

HR- HOU: Bagwell (42), Caminiti (14)

DW- Johnstone (3-6)
DS- Nen (35)
DL- Powell (5-3)

LHR- HOU: Biggio (14)
SF: Gardner

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 87-75- 12 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the Central:

Astros: 98-64
Reds: 96-66- 2 GB
Pirates: 77-84- 20.5 GB
(tie) Cardinals: 75-86- 22.5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 75-86- 22.5 GB
Cubs: 67-95- 30 GB

In real time, the Giants were 23-19 and led the Diamondbacks and Dodgers by a game and a half in the NL West.

Next: Game 2 of the Astros-Giants series at 3Com Park on Saturday, May 22, Chris Holt will start for the Astros, while Russ Ortiz goes to the hill for the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Saturday, May 22, and the Giants are hosting the Astros in Game 2 of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Chris Holt is starting for the Astros, while Russ Ortiz pitches for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat seventh, as his replacement F.P. Santangelo did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 3-1.

Let's detail Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he walked.

In the third, he flew to right center.

In the fourth, Brent Mayne led off with a single to right, Ortiz helped his own cause with a double to right that put runners at second and third. Marvin Benard's grounder to Jeff Bagwell at first brought Mayne home and gave the Giants a 2-0 lead,, with Ortiz moving to third. Bill Mueller followed with a bloop that fell in short right field for a base hit; Ortiz scored on the play, and it was 3-0 Frisco,

Right fielder Armando Rios walked to put two men on, but Jeff Kent's fly to center provided the Astros a much-needed first out, The bases were reloaded when Holt hit J.T. Snow in the thigh with a pitch, and Aurilia lined a base hit to left that plated Mueller and Rios to make it 5-0. Holt gave way to Scott Elarton at that point. Our hero Bonds was next, and his double over Carl Everett's head in center scored Snow to make it 6-0.

In the sixth, he bounced into a fielder's choice.

Bonds finished one for three plus a walk with an RBI. He's now batting .263 (109-415) with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-nine runs batted in, His homerless streak in this thread has now reached fourteen games. He has now walked eighty-six times this season.

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

The Astros got on the bord for the first time in the top of the sixth, With one out, Bagwell lined a double off the wall in left. Derek Bell took a called third strike for the second out, but Everett lined a double off the wall in right to score Bagwell and cut the Giants' lead to 6-1,

The Stros scored twice more in the seventh. Catcher Tony Eusebio drew a leadoff walk. Shortstop Tim Bogar's single to left put two men on, Ken Caminiti batted for Elarton, and his single to right loaded the bases. Second baseman Crajg Biggio followed with a base hit to left that scored Eusebio with the second Houston run, Third baseman Bill Spiers struck out swinging for out number one, but a tiring Ortiz walked Bagwell on five pitches to force Bogar home and cut the Giants' lead to 6-3.

Final totals: Giants 6-11-2, Astros 3-9-0,

Pitchers' records remain the same.

Next: The Giants and Astros conclude their three-game series on Sunday, May 23 at 3Com Park, Jose Lima will pitch for the Astros, while Shawn Estes heads to the hill for the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Sunday, May 23, and the Giants are hosting the Astros in the third game of a three-game series at 3Com Park, Jose Lima is pitching for the Astros, while Shawn Estes takes the hill for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat fifth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Astros won the actual game 4-1.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he flew to left center. That was the second out of the inning; Rich Aurilia followed with a bloop double to center. Second baseman Wilson Delgado followed with another bloop; this one fell in short left center for a single, and Aurilia scored to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

In the third with the Astros leading 2-1, Estes lined a leadoff single up the middle, but was forced by Marvin Benard. Bill Mueller followed by dumping a base hit into right, which moved Benard to third. Next was J.T. Snow, and he lined a double off the wall in right, Benard and Mueller scored, and the Giants were back in front 3-2. Right fielder Ellis Burks walked to put two men on, and Bonds hit a high fly ball to deep left center that chased the Astros' Carl Everett to the wall before he could make the catch. Snow moved to third on the play and scored on Aurilia's single to right. After two, it was 4-2 Giants.

In the fourth with the Giants leading 4-3, Estes picked up his second hit of the day with a bloop single to right center. Benard beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to put two men on. Mueller rapped a double to left that brought both runners home, and the Giants led 6-3. That was all for Lima; Scott Elarton came in to face Snow, whose single to right center brought Mueller home to extend the lead to 7-3.

In the sixth with the score 8-5 Frisco, Burks greeted new Astros pitcher Brian Williams with a bloop single to right. Bonds flew to right for the first out, but Aurilia's base hit to left put runners at the corners. Delgado's grounder to third allowed Burks to score, and the Giants led 9-5,

In the bottom of the eighth. Mueller drew a leadoff walk against new Astros pitcher Jay Powell. Snow flew to center for out number one, but Burks singled to left center to put two men on, Bonds walked to load the bases, and Doug Henry came in out of the Houston pen to face Aurilia, who lined the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for a grand slam to put the Giants up 13-5. It was his twenty-second home run of the year.

Bonds finished hitless in four at-bats plus a walk with a run scored. He's now batting .260 (109-419) with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-nine runs batted in, He's now walked eighty-seven times; he'll enter the top ten in the National League at eighty-nine. His homerless streak in this thread has now reached a whopping fifteen games.

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

In the top of the third with the Giants leading 1-0, Tony Eusebio walked. Tim Bogar hit a bouncer to second; the ball took a bad hop and scooted up Delgado's arm. Wilson was charged with an error, and there were two men on, Lima bunted the runners over, but Craig Biggio's liner was gloved by Mueller for the second out. That left it up to third baseman Russ Johnson, who stroked a base hit to left. Eusebio and Bogar scored, and it was 2-1 Houston.

In the top of the fourth, the Stros scored again, Derek Bell drew a leadoff walk. Richard Hidalgo's single to left put two men on. Everett's fly to left center was caught by Benard for the first out, and Marvin threw a strike to third that Bell beat by a fraction of an inch. The runners held while Eusebio popped to short for out number two, but Bogar beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single while Bell scooted home to cut the Giants' lead to 4-3.

It was 7-3 in the top of the fifth when Johnson lined a leadoff single to right center. Bagwell was next, and he hit a 2-0 curveball from Estes just out of Benard's reach and over the left center field wall for a two-run homer that cut the Giants' lead to 7-5.

The Giants answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth, With one out, Scott Servais grounded a single to left. Armando Rios batted for Estes and lined a base hit to right, which put two men on. Benard's popup was caught by Bagwell for out number two, but Mueller's single to left center scored Servais and extended the Giants' lead to 8-5,

Aurilia was named Player of the Game. He finished four for five with a grand slam, two runs scored, and five RBIs.

Final stats: Giants 13-19-2, Astros 5-8-0.

W- Estes (12-12)
L- Lima (20-11)

HR- HOU: Bagwell (42)
SF: Aurilia (21)

Note: Bagwell hit a home run in the actual game as well.

DS- Wagner (39)
DL- Nathan (7-3)

LHR- SF: Benard (16)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the Central:

Astros: 97-65
Reds: 96-66- 1 GB
Pirates: 77-84- 19.5 GB
(tie) Cardinals: 75-86- 21.5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 75-86- 21.5 GB
Cubs: 67-95- 30 GB

In real time, the Giants were 27-17 and led the Diamondbacks and Dodgers by four and a half games in the NL West.

Next: The Giants embark on a ten-game Eastern swing. Their first stop is Busch Stadium in St. Louis, where they'll begin a three-game series against the Cardinals on Tuesday, May 25. Chris Brock will start for the Giants. while Jose Jimenez heads to the mound for the Redbirds.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Tuesday, May 25, and the Giants are taking on the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a three-game series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Chris Brock is on the mound for the Giants, while Jose Jimenez is pitching for the Cardinals. Bonds is in left field and batting sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 17-1.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he took a called third strike.

In the fourth, he flew to shallow right center.

With two out in the sixth and the Cardinals leading 3-2. Jeff Kent singled to left. Ellis Burks' single to right put two men on, and Bonds made it three hits in a row with his single to right center. Kent scored, and the game was tied at three. Bonds now has a hundred runs batted in for the year,

With two out in the eighth, Bonds hit a 1-1 curveball from Cardinals reliever Manny Aybar over the left center field wall for his thirty-ninth home run of the season and career home run Number 793 to give the Giants a 4-3 lead. It was his first homer over his last sixteen simmed games, and his first in real time since May 5 in Pittsburgh.

Bonds finished two for four with a home run and two RBIs. He's now batting .262 (111-423) with thirty-nine homers and 101 runs batted in, He has now struck out seventy-two times this year. For his career, he now has 793 home runs, seven away from eight hundred and seventy-five behind Sadaharu Oh's world record of 868 career homers. He now has thirteen seasons in which he has driven in over a hundred runs.

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

The Giants scored first in the top of the first. Marvin Benard drew a leadoff walk. Bill Mueller's bloop fell in left center field for a double, which scored Benard and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals answered with two runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, shortstop Edgar Renteria singled to left center. First baseman Mark McGwire walked to put two men on, and a passed ball moved the runners to second and third. Left fielder Ray Lankford was next, and his double to right scored Renteria and Big Mac to give the Cards a 2-1 lead.

The Cards scored again in the bottom of the third, Renteria lined a leadoff single to left center. He stole second after McGwire struck out swinging and scored on Lankford's single to right, The Cards now led 3-1.

In the top of the fifth, Aurilia led off with a line drive homer over the wall in left for his twenty-second home run of the year to cut the St. Louis lead to 3-2,

The Giants took a 4-3 lead into the top of the ninth, when they added an insurance run. Scott Servais led off with a double off the wall in center. F.P. Santangelo batted for reliever Rich Rodriguez and doubled off the wall in right to score Servais and extend the Frisco lead to 5-3, which was the final score.

Bonds was named Player of the Game because of his go-ahead home run.

Final totals: Giants 5-9-0, Cardinals 3-11-1.

W- Johnstone (4-6)
S- Nen (36)
L- Aybar (4-6)

HR- SF: Bonds (39), Aurilia (22)

DW- Brock (6-8)
DL- Jimenez (5-13)

LHR- SF: Burks (29), Snow (26), Kent (22), Mueller (1)
STL: McGwire (64)

Next: The Giants try to make it two in a row against the Cardinals on Wednesday, May 26 at Busch Stadium. Kirk Rueter will pitch for the Giants, while Kent Bottenfjeld takes the hill for the Cards.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Wednesday, May 26, and the Giants are taking on the Cardinals in the second game of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Kirk Rueter is on the mound for the Giants, while Kent Bottenfield takes the hill for the Cardinals. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life, The Giants won the actual game, 7-6.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he struck out swinging.

In the fourth with the Cardinals leading 4-1, he grounded to first. Rich Aurilia followed with a solo home run over the wall in center that cut the St, Louis lead to 4-2. It was Aurilia's twenty-third home run of the year.

In the sixth, Bonds flew to right.

In the eighth, he flew to shallow right center,

Bonds finished hitless in four at-bats. He's currently batting .260 (111-427) with thirty-nine home runs and 101 runs batted in. He has now struck out seventy-three times this season,

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

The Cardinals opened the scoring with two out in the bottom of the first when Mark McGwire hit the first pitch he saw from Giants starter Shawn Estes over the left field wall for his sixty-fifth home run of the year and a 1-0 St. Louis lead.

The Cards added two more runs in the second. Right fielder Eric Davis led off with a double off the wall in center, He held at second while catcher Eli Marrero grounded to short, but second baseman Joe McEwing lined a single to left center that brought him home and put the home squad up 2-0, McEwing subsequently stole second, but had to hold when Bottenfield's fly to shallow right center was caught by Benard for out number two, Center fielder Shawon Dunston beat out a grounder to first for an infield single to put runners at the corners, and Edgar Renteria followed with a lined single to right tbat scored McEwing to make it 3-0,

The Giants dented the scoreboard for the first time in the top of the third. With two out, J.T. Snow beat out a chopper to third for an infield single, Jeff Kent's double to center brought him home, and the Redbirds' lead was cut to 3-1.

The Cardinals got that run back in the bottom of the third when third baseman Fernando Tatis hit Estes' 1-2 fastball into the third row of bleachers in left center field for a solo home run to extend their lead to 4-1.

In the bottom of the fifth with the score 4-2, the Cards plated another run. With one out, Lankford's bloop fell in shallow right center for a base hit, After Lankford stole second, Tatis whacked a double to right that brought him home and increased the Redbirds' lead to 5-2.

The Cardinals added two more runs in the seventh. With one out, McGwire and Lankford worked back-to-back walks. Tatis was hit on the elbow by a Felix Rodriguez pitch to load the bases, and Marrero followed with a single to right. McGwire and Lankford both scored, and it was 7-2 St. Louis.

The Redbirds finished their rout with three runs in the eighth. Reliever Heathcliff Slocumb led off by beating out a bouncer to short for an infield single. Dunston slapped a pitch past the mound and into center field to put two men on, After Renteria went down swinging for out number one, McGwire hit another shot past the mound and into center to score Slocumb with the eighth St. Louis run while Dunston went to third. Lankford flew to shallow right center for out number two, but Tatis followed with a double to center. Dunston and McGwire scored, and the Cards had their final victory margin of 10-2.

Final totals: Cardinals 10-16-2, Giants 2-5-0.

W- Bottenfield (19-6)
L- Rueter (14-11)

HR- SF: Aurilia (22)
STL: McGwire (65), Tatis (34)

Note: Aurilia and Tatis each hit a home run in the real-life game.

Tatis was named Player of the Game. He finished three for four plus a hit-by-pitch with a home run and four RBIs.

DS- Nen (35)

LHR- SF: Snow (25)
STL: McEwing (8). Dunston (4)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 87-75- 12 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the National League Central:

Astros: 97-65
Reds: 96-66- 1 GB
Pirates: 77-84- 19.5 GB
Cardinals: 76-85- 20.5 GB
Brewers: 75-86- 21.5 GB
Cubs: 67-95- 30 GB

In real time, the Giants were 28-18 and led the Diamondbacks by two and a half games in the NL West.

The Giants and Cardinals finished their series on Thursday, May 27. Bonds was told in advance that he was getting a day off and flew ahead to Montreal for the Giants' next series while his teammates dropped a 3-2 decision in twelve innings. Reliever Jerry Spradlin's wild pitch scored Davis with the winning run. Davis was the most productive Cardinal despite entering the game in the eighth; he was two for three. Benard was three for six with a run batted in for the Giants.

Next: The Giants begin their three-game series with the Expos on Friday, May 28 at Olympic Stadium. Russ Ortiz will start for the Giants, while Javier Vazquez goes to the hill for the Spos,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Friday, May 28, and the Giants are beginning a three-game series with the Montreal Expos at Olympic Stadium. Bonds is in left field and will bat seventh, as his replacement Armando Rios did in real life. Russ Ortiz will start for the Giants, to be opposed by the Expos' Javier Vazquez. The Expos won the actual game 4-2,

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

In the second, he hit a line drive to deep right that bounced off of Expos right fielder Vladimir Guerrero's glove. He ended up at second base on the error, and he scored on Rich Aurilia's lined single to left center to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth with the Expos leading 2-1. Bill Mueller led off with a single to right. J.T. Snow followed with another base hit to right that put two men on, and Mueller moved to third on Jeff Kent's fly to the warning track in left. Ellis Burks was next, and his single to center scored Mueller to tie the game at two, Bonds bounced into a force play, which eliminated Burks but allowed Snow to score the go-ahead run. The Giants now led 3-2.

In the sixth with the score tied at three, Bonds grounded to short. Aurilia was next, and he bit Vazquez's 1-0 curveball down the left field line and into the seats for a home run that gave the visitors a 4-3 lead.

In the seventh, he grounded to short.

In the ninth, he took a called third strike,

Bonds finished hitless in five at-bats with a run scored and an RBI, He's now batting .257 (111-432) with thirty-nine home runs and 102 runs batted in. He has now struck out seventy-four times this season.

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

In the bottom of the second with the Giants in front 1-0, second baseman Jose Vidro drew a one-out walk, Catcher Michael Barrett was next, and he deposited Ortiz's first pitch over the left center field wall for a two-run homer to give the Expos a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth with the Giants leading 3-2, right fielder Vladimir Guerrero crushed a 2-1 fastball from Ortiz down the left field line and into the second row of seats for a game-tying solo homer, his forty-third of the year. Guerrero is now in fifth place by himself in the National League home run race and in ninth place by himself in the major league race.

In the bottom of the eighth with two out and the Giants leading 4-3, shortstop Orlando Cabrera doubled down the left field line. Orlando Merced batted for Vazquez and stroked a base hit to left to score Cabrera and tie the game at four,

The Giants scored the eventual winning run in the top of top of the ninth. Aurilia led off with a base hit up the middle. Brent Mayne took a called third strike, and pinch hitter Armando Rios (hatting for Ortiz) flew to Rondell White in deep left center for out number two. But Marvin Benard's bloop fell in left field for a base hit to put two men on, and Mueller stroked a base hit to left center to score Aurilia and give the Giants a 5-4 win,

Final totals: Giants 5-14-0, Expos 4-9-2.

W- Ortiz (19-8)
S- Nen (36)
L- Vazquez (9-7)

HR- SF: Aurilia (22)
MTL: Guerrero (43), Barrett (9)

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

DL- Telford (5-3)
DS- Urbina (40)

LHR- MTL: Merced (7)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the National League East:

Braves: 104-58
Mets: 96-66- 8 GB
Phillies: 77-85- 27 GB
Expos: 67-95- 37 GB
Marlins: 64-98- 40 GB

In real time, the Giants were 29-19 and led the Diamondbacks by two and a half games in the National League West,

Next: The Giants face the Expos in Game 2 of the three-game series on Saturday, May 29. Shawn Estes will start for the Giants, while Mike Thurman takes the hill for the Expos.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Saturday, May 29, and the Giants are taking on the Expos in Game 2 of a three-game series at Olympic Stadium. Shawn Estes will start for the Giants, while Mike Thurman pitches for the Expos. Bonds is in left field and will lead off, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life, The Expos won the actual game, 7-4.

In the top of the first, Bonds grounded to short.

The Expos scored twice in the bottom of the first. Rondell White reached with two out when Rich Aurilia muffed his grounder to short. Vladimir Guerrero's double off the wall in left brought him home, and the Expos led 1-0. Third baseman Michael Barrett followed with a bloop single to right center, which scored Guerrero to make it 2-0,

The Giants answered with four runs in the top of the second. Jeff Kent led off with a single to right, but was forced by right fielder Armando Rios. Third baseman Charlie Hayes walked to put two men on. Center fielder F.P. Santangelo's double to left scored Rios to put the Giants on the board, and catcher Scott Servais followed by lining Thurman's first pitch over the left center field wall for a three-run homer to give the Giants a 4-2 lead, It was Servais' fifth home run of the year, Later in the inning, Bonds walked.

The Giants added to their lead with a five-run third, Rios got things started with one out when he lined Thurman's 1-1 hanging curve down the right field line and just over the fence for a home run to make it 5-2, Hayes and Santangelo drew back-to-back walks, and Servais' lined single to left center loaded the bases. Estes followed with a grounder to first. The Expos' Jose Vidro made the stop, but Hayes beat the throw to the plate, and it was 6-2 Frisco, Bonds followed with a fly to left center. Montreal center fielder Manny Martinez made the catch, but Santangelo also beat the throw to the plate, and it was 7-2. Aurilia topped off the inning with a double into the left field corner against new Expos pitcher Anthony Telford. Servais and Estes both scored, and the Giants led 9-2.

The Expos answered with three in the bottom of the third. With one out, White singled to center. Guerrero walked to put two men on, and Barrett's double to center scored White to cut the Frisco lead to 9-3. Guerrero stopped at third on the hit, but the runners had to hold when Vidro flew to left for out number two, but catcher Chris Widger grounded a base hit that scored Guerrero and Barrett to close the gap to 9-5.

The Giants entered double digits with a three-run fourth, Rios lined a one-out double off the wall in center. Hayes' base hit to left brought him home, and the visitors ked 10-5, Santangelo flew to shallow left center for out number two, but Estes helped his own cause with a wicked line drive into the left center power alley that went for a double. Hayes and Servais both scored, and it was 12-5 Frisco, Bonds' fly to right ended the inning.

The Giants added two more runs in the fifth, With two out, Kent lined a base hit to right center. Rios was next, and he lined the first pitch he saw from new Expos pitcher Bobby Ayala over the wall in dead center field for his second home run of the game. The Giants now led 14-5,

The Boys from the Bay added five more runs in the sixth. With one out, Servais lined a single to left, He was forced by Javier (batting for Estes), but Bonds walked to put two men on, Aurilia took a pitch off of his shin to load the bases, and Snow smacked a single back up the middle to score Javier and Bonds with runs fifteen and sixteen,

Javier replaced Bonds in left field for the bottom of the sixth, The Giants scored their other four runs on a two-run double by Kent and an RBI single by Rios in the sixth and an RBI single by Aurilia in the seventh. Widger homered for the Expos leading off the bottom of the sixth. and Vidro homered with two out in the bottom of the ninth, Our final: Giants 20, Expos 7,

Bonds was hitless in three at-bats with an RBI and a run scored plus two walks, He's now batting .255 (111-435) with thirty-nine home runs and 103 runs batted in, He's now walked eighty-nine times, which (unofficially) ties him for tenth in the National League,

Final totals: Giants 20-22-1, Expos 7-13-0,

W- Estes (13-11)
L- Thurman (6-12)

HR- SF: Rios 2 (7), Servais (5)
MTL: Widger (15), Vidro (13)

DS- MTL: Urbina (39)

LHR- MTL: Mordecai (4)

Rios was named Player of the Game. He went four for six with two home runs, four runs scored, and four runs batted in,

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 East:

Braves: 104-58
Mets: 96-66- 8 GB
Phillies: 77-85- 27 GB
Expos: 66-96- 38 GB
Marlins: 64-98- 40 GB

In real time, the Giants were 30-19 and led the Diamondbacks by two and a half games in the NL West.

Bonds sat out the next two games to get some much-needed rest, The Spos won the series finale in Montreal on May 30 6-4 behind home runs by Guerrero and Mordecai, The Giants moved on to Philadelphia on Memorial Day, where they blew a 3-0 lead by giving up four runs in the seventh and eventually lost 4-3. Shortstop Alex Arias' home run off of John Johnstone provided the margin of victory,

Bonds returned to the lineup for Game 2 of the Phillies series on Tuesday, June 1. Mark Gardner started for the Giants against the Phillies' Robert Person, We'll find out how Bonds and the Giants fared in our next post.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Tuesday, June 1, and we're at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia for the second game of a four-game series between the Giants and the Phillies. Mark Gardner will start for the Giants, while Robert Person pitches for the Phillies. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 6-5 in twelve innings.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second with the Phillies leading 1-0, Ellis Burks walked with one out,

Bonds followed by hitting Person's 1-1 fastball into the upper deck in right center field for his fortieth home run of the season and career home run Number 794. The Giants led 2-1.

In the fourth, he flew to shallow right center.

In the fifth with the Phillies leading 6-2, Jeff Kent drew a one-out walk, but was forced by Burks.

Bonds was next, and he hit Person's 0-2 curveball over the wall in right for his second homer of the game, his forty-first of the season, and career home run Number 795. The Phillies led 6-4.

In the eighth with the Phillies leading 7-4, J,T. Snow ripped a one-out double down the right field line, Kent popped to short for the second out, but Burks followed with a two-run homer over the left center field wall to bring the visitors within 7-6. s

Bonds was next, and he drilled Phillies reliever Yorkis Perez's first pitch over the right center field wall for his third home run of the game, his forty-second of the season, and career homer Number 796. The game was tied at seven,

Rich Aurilia followed with a lined single to left, and Scott Servais; double to center brought him home to give the Giants an 8-7 lead.

In the top of the ninth, Marvin Benard and Bill Mueller worked back-to-back walks. After Snow and Kent each struck out swinging, Burks lined a single up the middle to score Benard and give the Giants a 9-7 lead. Bonds flew to deep right center to end the inning;, Phils center fielder Doug Glanville made the catch no more than an inch below the home run line,

Bonds finished three for five with three home runs, three runs scored, and five RBIs. He's now batting .259 (114-440) with forty-two home runs and 108 runs batted in, He now has 796 career home runs, four away from eight hundred and seventy-two behind Sadaharu Oh's all-time record of 868,

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

In the bottom of the first, Glanville hit Gardner's second pitch of the game over the wall in right center for a leadoff homer to give the Phils a 1-0 lead. It was Glanville's twelfth homer of the year,

In the bottom of the third with the Giants leading 2-1, second baseman Marlon Anderson lined a one-out single to right center. Third baseman Scott Rolen was hit in the forearm by a pitch, and first baseman Rico Brogna walked to load the bases. Left fielder Ron Gant walked on five pitches to force Anderson home and tie the game at two,

In the bottom of the fifth, Anderson led off with a base hit to left. Rolen followed with a fly ball down the right field line that cleared the wall for a two-run homer that gave the Phils a 4-2 lead. Brogna's popup was caught by Kent behind second base for out number one, bur Gant whacked the first pitch he saw from Gardner over the wall in left to extend the Philly lead to 5-2. Julian Tavarez came out of the Frisco pen to face Abreu, who socked his 2-1 pitch over the wall in left center to make it 6-2. Rolen hit his twenty-seventh homer of the year, Gant his eighteenth, and Abreu his twentieth.

In the bottom of the sixth with the Phils leading 6-4, pinch hitter Rob Ducey (batting for reliever Joel Bennett) hit a leadoff home run over the right center field wall to extend their lead to 7-4. It was Ducey's ninth homer of the year.

In the bottom of the ninth with the Giants leading 9-7, Rolen hit a 1-2 hanging curve from Robbie Nen over the wall in left for his second home run of the game and twenty-eighth of the year to cut the lead to 9-8, which was our final score,

Final totals: Giants 9-9-0, Phillies 8-11-0.

W- Johnstone (5-6)
S- Nen (37)
L- Perez (3-2)

HR- SF: Bonds 3 (42), Burks (29)
PHI: Rolen 2 (28), Abreu (20), Gant (18), Glanville (12), Ducey (9)

Note: Burks and Abreu also hit home runs during the real-life game.

DW- Nen (1-9)
DL- Gomes (5-4)

LHR- SF: Snow (24)
PHI: Lieberthal (30)

Next: The Giants face the Phillies in Game 3 of their four-game series on Wednesday, June 2. Russ Ortiz will take the ball for the Giants, while Paul Byrd will start for the Phils.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Wednesday, June 2, and the Giants are facing the Phillies in the third game of a four-game series at Veterans Stadium. Russ Ortiz is pitching for the Giants. while Paul Byrd pitches for the Phillies. The Phils won the actual game, 7-6. Bonds is in left field and will bat seventh, as his replacement F.P. Santangelo did in real life.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second inning, he walked.

In the third, he was intentionally walked,

In the fifth, he grounded to first.

In the seventh, his line drive was caught by Phillies pitcher Steve Montgomery.

In the eighth with the Giants leading 4-3, Marvin Benard beat out a bouncer to short for a leadoff infield single, then stole second. Walks to Bill Mueller and J.T, Snow loaded the bases. Jim Poole came out of the Philly bullpen to face Jeff Kent and struck him out swinging, but he hung a 1-1 curveball to Armando Rios, who lined a bullet down the right field line and over the wall for a grand slam, his eighth home run of the year. The Giants now led 8-1.

Later in the inning, Bonds doubled to left center, but was stranded at second,

Bonds finished one for three with two walks, one of them intentional, He's now batting .260 (115-443) with forty-two home runs and 108 runs batted in. He's now walked ninety-one times, which would have tied him for ninth in the National League if I'd been keeping the stat throughout the year,

Note: The only stats I'm keeping for sure in this timeline are batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, For anything other than that, Bonds had to finish in the real-life National League top ten for me to track it. The three categories that fir that criteria in 1999 were stolen base percentage (I missed that one, but Bonds has only stolen one base in two tries that I can remember in the sims, so it couldn't have changed much), situational wins added (far too sabermetric for my old-school tastes), and at-bats per home run (I just ran that one, and he's gone down a tenth of a point, from 10.4 to 10.5).

Now let's run down the rest of tonight's game action:

In the top of the first with one out, Mueller doubled to right. Snow followed with a single to right that scored Mueller and gave the Giants a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth with one out, Benard doubled off the wall in center. Phillies starting pitcher Paul Byrd hit Mueller in the forearm with a pitch to put two men on, and Snow's single to right brought Benard home to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. Mueller went to third on that hit and scored on Kent's double into the left center power alley to make it 3-0, Snow stopped at third and came home on Rios' sacrifice fly to center to extend the Giants' lead to 4-0.

The Phils got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the fifth. Catcher Gary Bennett drew a leadoff walk, A wild pitch by Ortiz moved him to second, but Russ got the next two outs when shortstop Desi Relaford's liner was caught by Kent at second and Byrd struck out swinging. A passed ball charged to catcher Brent Mayne moved Bennett to third, and Gary scored when center fielder Kevin Sefcik beat out a bouncer to second for an infield single.

In the bottom of the eighth with two out and the Giants leading 8-1, left fielder Ron Gant walked, Abreu then ended Ortiz's evening by hitting his 0-1 hanging slider into the left field bullpen for his twenty-first homer of the year. a two-run shot that made our final score Giants 8, Phillies 3.

Final totals: Giants 8-13-0, Phillies 3-7-0.

W- Ortiz (20-7)
L- Byrd (14-12)

HR- SF: Rios (8)
PHI: Abreu (20)

Note: Abreu also hit a home run in the actual game.

Rios was named Player of the Game for the second time this week. He was two for four with a grand slam and five RBIs. In his past two starts, he's six for ten with three home runs, five runs scored, and nine runs batted in.

DS- PHI: Gomes (18)

LHR- SF: Mayne (1)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 90-72- 9 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the East:

Braves: 104-58
Mets: 96-66- 8 GB
Phillies: 76-86- 28 GB
Expos: 66-96- 38 GB
Marlins: 64-98- 40 GB

In real time, the Giants were 32-21 and led the Diamondbacks by a game and a half in the NL West.

Next: The Giants and Phillies finish their four-game series at The Vet on Thursday, June 3. Shawn Estes will pitch for the Giants, while Curt Schilling takes the ball for the Phils.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Thursday, June 3, and the Giants are taking on the Phillies in the final game of a four-game series at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Shawn Estes is pitching for the Giants, while Curt Schilling goes to the hill for the Phils. Bonds is in left field and batting sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 7-4.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

ln the top of the second with the score tied at one, he hit the first pitch from Phillies starter Curt Schilling over the left center field wall for his forty-third home run of the year and career homer Number 797. The Giants led 2-1, It was his fourth homer of the series.

In the fourth, he singled to right,

In the sixth, he flew to deep left.

In the eighth with the Phils leading 7-2, Bill Mueller led off with a walk. Schilling struck out first baseman (and former Philly) Charlie Hayes swinging for the first out, and Jeff Kent's popup was caught by the Phils' Kevin Sefcik behind second base for out number two, Ellis Burks was next, and he ended Schilling's evening with a two-run homer over the wall in left center that cut the Phils' lead to 7-4. It was his thirtieth home of the year. Bonds followed with a walk against new pitcher Steve Montgomery.

Bonds finished two for three plus a walk with a home run. He's now batting .262 (117-446) with forty-three home runs and 109 runs batted in. He's now tied for fifth in the National League and eighth in the major leagues in home runs with the Astros' Jeff Bagwell and the Expos' Vladimir Guerrero. He now has 797 career home runs, three away from eight hundred and seventy-one behind Sadaharu Oh. He also has ninety walks for the year.

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

The Giants took the lead with a run in the top of the first. With one out, Mueller singled to right center. Hayes lined a single up the middle to put runners at the corners, and Kent's fly to deep left center brought Mueller home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Phils tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first. Glanville led off with a bunt down the first base line that he beat out for a base hit. Sefcik (who started the game in right field) and third baseman Kevin Jordan drew back-to-back walks to load the bases, and Ron Gant's fly down the left field line chased Bonds back to the wall before he could make the catch. Glanville scored from third, and the game was tied at one,

The Giants took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth, where the Phils scored four times. Glanville drew a leadoff walk, then stole second. Sefcik struck out swinging for out number one, but Jordan grounded a base hit to left that brought Glanville home to tie the game at two, Brogna walked to put two men on, but Gant went down swinging for the second out, It was up to catcher Mike Lieberthal, and he delivered with a single to right center, Jordan scored, and the Phils led 3-2.

Brogna went to third on the hit, and he scored when Alex Arias beat out a grounder to short for an infield hit. That was all for Estes; Jerry Spradlin came out of the Frisco pen to face second baseman David Doster, The Phils countered by going to their bench for Bobby Abreu, who smacked the first pitch he saw into left center for a base hit. Lieherthal scored, and the Phils led 5-2.

The Phils added a run in the bottom of the sixth. Sefcik lined a one-out double into the right center power alley, He held on Jordan's grounder to third, but scored the sixth Philly run on Brogna's lined single to left.

The home squad closed out their scoring in the last of the seventh when Lieberthal lined a 1-1 changeup from Giants reliever Julian Tavarez over the center field wall for his thirty-first home run of the year. As I documented above, the Giants scored twice in the eighth to establish our final: Phillies 7, Giants 4.

Final totals: Phillies 7-10-0, Giants 4-7-0.

W- Schilling (16-5)
S- Gomes (19)
L- Estes (13-12)

HR- SF: Bonds (43), Burks (30)
PHI: Lieberthal (31)

Schilling was named Player of the Game. He pitched seven and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out six, He threw 112 pitches.

DW- Spradlin (3-1)
DS- Nen (36)

LHR- SF: Servais (4)
PHI: Jordan (3)

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 East:

Braves: 104-58
Mets: 96-66- 8 GB
Phillies: 77-85- 27 GB
Expos: 66-96- 38 GB
Marlins: 64-98- 40 GB

In real time, the Giants were 32-22 and led the Diamondbacks by a game in the NL West.

Next: It's the San Francisco portion of the Battle for the Bay, as the Giants open a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics at 3Com Park on Friday, June 4. Gil Heredia gets the ball for the A's, to be opposed on the hill by the Giants' Chris Brock.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Friday, June 4, and the Giants are opening a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics at 3Com Park, Gil Heredia will start for the A's, while Chris Brock takes the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat third, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 4-3 in fifteen innings.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, he grounded to third.

In the fourth, he popped to short.

In the sixth, he flew to shallow left center,

With one out in the bottom of the eighth and the A's leading 3-1, Bill Mueller doubled off the wall in center. Bonds took a called third strike for out number two, J,T, Snow was next, and he hit a 2-1 pitch from reliever Tim Worrell over the left field wall for a game-tying two-run homer, his twenty-fifth of the year.

Bonds finished hitless in four at-bats. He's now batting .260 (117-450) with forty-three home runs and 109 runs batted in, He has now struck out seventy-five times this season.

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

In the top of the first with two out, first baseman Jason Giambi lined Brock's 0-1 pitch over the wall in left center for a home run, his thirty-fourth of the year, to give the A's a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, right fielder Matt Stairs led off with a single to left. Left fielder Ben Grieve followed with a single to right, but was forced by third baseman Eric Chavez for out number one. After catcher Mike Macfarlane walked, center fielder Ryan Christenson lined a double off the wall in right center. Stairs and Chavez scored, and the A's led 3-0,

In the bottom of the sixth, Marvin Benard hit Heredia's first pitch over the left center field wall for his eighteenth home run of the year to cut the Oakland lead to 3-1.

In the bottom of the tenth, Jeff Kent batted for reliever Jerry Spradlin to lead off the inning and hit the 2-2 pitch of A's reliever T.J. Mathews into the third row of seats in left center field for a game-winning walkoff homer, his twenty-third of the year. For his heroics, he was named Player of the Game. Our final in ten: Giants 4, Athletics 3.

Final totals: Giants 4-8-0, Athletics 3-7-0.

W- Spradln (3-1)
L- Mathews (9-6)

Note Spradlin was the winning pitcher in the actual game as well.

HR- OAK; Giambi (34)
SF: Snow (25), Kent (23). Benard (18)

DL- Taylor (1-5)

LHR- OAK: Phillips (14), Macfarlane (3)
SF: Aurilia 2 (20)

Next: Game 2 of this series on Saturday, June 5. Mike Oquist will go to the hill for the A's, while Kirk Rueter gets the ball for the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Saturday, June 5, and the Giants are hosting the Athletics in Game 2 of a three-game series. Mike Oquist will start for the A's. while Kirk Rueter pitches for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat seventh, as his replacement F.P. Santangelo did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 8-0, This game will be televised regionally by Fox.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second, he took a called third strike.

In the fifth, he popped up to second.

Bonds finished hitless in two at-bats. He's now batting .259 (117-452) with forty-three home runs and 109 runs batted in. He's struck out seventy-six times this season.

Now let's examine the rest of the game action:

The A's jumped on Rueter for five runs in the top of the first. Center fielder Tony Phillips lined the first pitch he saw off the right field wall for a double and scored on shortstop Miguel Tejada's base hit to right center to give the visitors a lightning-quick 1-0 lead. First baseman Jason Giambi walked on five pitches, and third baseman Olmedo Saenz' s double down the right field line scored Tejada to give the A's a 2-0 lead. Giambi moved to third on the hit , and he and Saenz both came home when right fielder Matt Stairs singled to right.

It was now 4-0 Oakland, and Giants manager Dusty Baker came to the mound with the quick hook for Rueter. Felix Rodriguez relieved, and he caught left fielder Tim Raines looking at strike three for the second out. But second baseman Scott Spiezio followed with a double to right center that brought Stairs home to make it 5-0,

The Giants answered with a run in the bottom of the first. J.T. Snow lined a double into the right field corner with two out and scored on Jeff Kent's base hit to left to cut the Athletics' lead to 5-1.

The A's answered with two runs in the top of the second. Phillips led off with a base hit to right center. Tejada flew to center for the first out, but Giambi walked to put two men on. A passed ball charged to Servais moved the runners up, and Saenz doubled into the right center power alley to score both Phillips and Giambi, which extended Oakland's lead to 7-1.

The A's added a run in the top of the third. Spiezio led off with a single to right but was forced by catcher A.J. Hinch. Oquist flew to Benard in left center for the second out, but Phillips' single to right put two men on, Tejada followed with a base hit to left center that scored Hinch to make it 8-1.

The Swingins added another run in the fifth when Phillips doubled off the wall in center with one out and scored on Tejada's base hit to right center. Halfway through, it was Oakland 9, San Francisco 1.

The A's added another run in the sixth with one out when Hinch whacked Rodriguez's 1-2 fastball over the left field wall for his seventh home run of the season and a 10-1 lead.

The visitors added two more runs in the seventh against new Frisco pitcher Julian Tavarez. Giambi hit a leadoff home run off the left field foul pole, his thirty-fifth of the year, to extend the Athletics' lead to 11-1. Saenz grounded to short for the first out, but Stairs and Raines worked back-to-back walks. Spiezio followed with a fly ball to right that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double. Stairs was awarded home plate, and the A's led 12-1.

Santangelo batted for Bonds in the bottom of the seventh and replaced him in left field in the top of the eighth, The Giants avoided a double-digit blowout when Benard hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, his nineteenth of the year, Final score: Athletics 12, Giants 3.

Final totals: Athletics 12-18-0, Giants 3-8-1.

W- Oquist (10-9)
L- Rueter (13-12)

HR- OAK: Giambi (35), Hinch (7)
SF: Benard (19)

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

In the American League West:

Texas Rangers: 95-67
Oakland Athletics: 88-74- 7 GB
Seattle Mariners: 79-83- 16 GB
Anaheim Angels: 70-92- 25 GB

In real time, the Giants were 33-23 and tied for first place in the NL West with the Diamondbacks.

Next: The third and final game of the Giants' series with the A's on Sunday, June 6 at 3Com Park. Kenny Rogers will pitch for the A's, while Mark Gardner heads to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Sunday, June 6, and the Giants are taking on the Athletics in the final game of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Kenny Rogers will pitch for the A's, while Mark Gardner takes the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat second, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Athletics won the actual game, 7-6.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, center fielder F.P. Santangelo lined a double into the left center power alley. Bonds followed with a single to left that scored Santangelo and gave the Giants a 1-0 lead.

In the third, his line drive was caught by Jason Giambi at first,

In the fifth, he popped to second.

In the seventh with the A's leading 3-2, he led off with a single to right center. Snow's base hit, also to right center, put runners at the corners. Charlie Hayes was next, and he bounced into a force play. Bonds scored from third, and the game was tied at three.

In the ninth with the A's leading 4-3, Marvin Benard batted for Santangelo and stroked a leadoff single to right against A's closer Billy Taylor. He moved to second on Bonds' bouncer to short and to third on Snow's fly to right. After Hayes walked to put two men on. Ellis Burks hit a dying-quail bloop into left center that got past A's center fielder Ryan Christenson. Benard scored to tie the game. and Giants third base coach Sonny Jackson waved Hayes around third. Christenson's throw to the plate was in time, but Hayes managed to touch the plate just before A's catcher A,J. Hinch could apply the tag, and the Giants had a 5-4 walkoff win. Burks was named Player of the Game because of his heroics.

Bonds finished two for four with a run scored and am RBI. He's now batting .261 (119-456) with forty-three home runs and 110 runs batted in, He'll reach the National League top ten at 115 RBIs.

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

Already leading 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Giants added a run. Scott Servais walked with two out, and second baseman Wilson Delgado's single to left put two men on. Gardner was next, and he lifted a fly to left that bounced into, then out of, Ben Grieve's glove. Servais scored all the way from second on the error. and the G-Men led 2-0.

The A's answered with a run in the top of the third. Christenson lined a leadoff double into the left center power alley. Hinch followed with a single to left that scored Christenson and cut the Giants' lead to 2-1.

The visitors took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Giambi led off with a lined single to left, and Stairs lined Gardner's 1-1 hanging slider over the right field wall for a two-run homer to give the Swingins a 3-2 lead. It was his thirty-ninth home run of the year.

In the top of the eighth with the score tied at three and one out, Grieve lined a 2-0 curveball from Giants reliever John Johnstone over the wall in dead center field for a solo home run to give the A's a 4-3 lead. It was Grieve's twenty-ninth home run of the year.

Final totals: Giants 5-10-0, Athletics 4-7-2.

W- Spradlin (4-1)
L- Taylor (1-6)

HR- OAK: Stairs (38). Grieve (29)

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

DW- Groom (2-2)
DS- Taylor (25)
DL- Johnstone (5-5)

LHR- OAK: Giambi (34)
SF: Santangelo (2)

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 American League West:

Rangers: 95-67
Athletics: 87-75- 8 GB
Mariners: 79-83- 16 GB
Angels: 70-92- 25 GB

In real time, the Giants were 34-23 and led the Diamondbacks by a game in the NL West.

Next: The Giants open a three-game series against the Anaheim Angels on Monday, June 7 at 3Com Park, Chuck Finley will start for the Angels, while Russ Ortiz takes the ball for the Giants.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Monday, June 7, and the Giants are taking on the Anaheim Angels in Game 1 of a three-game series at 3Com Park, Chuck Finley is pitching for the Angels, while Russ Ortiz goes to the hill for the Giants. Bonds in in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 5-2.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the bottom of the first, Bill Mueller singled to left with one out. First baseman Charlie Hayes walked to put two men on, Jeff Kent's liner was caught by Angels third baseman Troy Glaus for the second out, but Ellis Burks' single up the middle loaded the bases.

Bonds was next. and he whacked Finley's 3-2 fastball over the center field wall for a grand slam, his forty-fourth home run of the year and career home run Number 798. The Giants led 4-0. Bonds is now just two home runs away from eight hundred and seventy behind all-time home run leader Sadaharu Oh,

in the third, his line drive was caught by Angels first baseman Mo Vaughn.

In the fifth, he flew to right,

In the eighth with the Giants leading 4-3, Ellis Burks hit a 1-0 curveball from reliever Al Levine over the center field wall for a home run, his thirty-first of the year, to extend the Giants' lead to 5-3. Bonds followed with a five-pitch walk. Rich Aurilia was called out on strikes, but Brent Maybe walked to put two men on, Shigetoshi Hasegawa relieved Levine and struck out Armando Rios (batting for reliever John Johnstone) swinging for the second out, but center fielder F.P, Santangelo rapped a single to left that brought Bonds home with the sixth and final Giants run. Final score: Giants 6, Angels 3.

Bonds finished one for three plus a walk with a home run, two runs scored, and four RBIs. He's now batting ,261 (120-459) with forty-four home runs and 114 runs batted in, He's now walked ninety-one times, and he's hit a home run every 10.4 at-bats.

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

In the top of the fourth with one out and the Giants leading 4-0, Angels center fielder Garrett Anderson singled up the middle. Right fielder Todd Greene was next, and he hit a 1-2 pitch from Giants starter Russ Ortiz down the left field line and over the wall for a two-run homer, his fourteenth of the year, to cut the Giants' lead to 4-2.

In the top of the seventh with one out, left fielder Darin Erstad hit a 1-2 hanging curve from Ortiz over the wall in center for a solo homer, his fourteenth of the year, to cut the Frisco lead to 4-3. As we documented above, the Giants went on to win 6-3.

Final totals: Giants 6-8-0, Angels 3-8-1.

Pitchers' records remain the same.

HR- ANA: Greene (14), Erstad (14)
SF: Bonds (44), Burks (31)

LHR- SF: Santangelo (1)

Bonds was named Player of the Game because of his grand slam.

Next: Game 2 of this series on Tuesday, June 8 at 3Com Park. Steve Sparks will start for the Angels, while Shawn Estes goes to the hill for the Giants.

Note: First pitch for this game has been moved to 8PM Eastern to accommodate a national Fox telecast in anticipation of Bonds' eight hundredth home run. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver will be on the call,

(I realize that treating this as if it would be Bonds' eight hundredth homer in real time is firmly in ASB territory, but letting an achievement like this, tainted though it probably is, without the requisite fanfare simply doesn't seem right to me. Those who choose to can make light of the achievement to their heart's content once it's in the books, and in this case they would be more right than wrong. But in the moment, the man and his record should get their just due,

For the record, I felt the same way about Barry's pursuit of Hank Aaron in real life, though I understand why it didn't turn out that way,)

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Tuesday, June 8, and the Giants are hosting the Angels in Game 2 of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Steve Sparks will pitch for the Angels, while Shawn Estes goes to the hill for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 6-2.

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

In the second, he grounded to second. After two out, Scott Servais hit the first pitch he saw from Angels starter Steve Sparks over the wall in right for a solo homer, his fifth of the year, to tie the game at one.

In the fourth, Bonds flew to left center. Rich Aurilia followed with a lined single to left. Servais' grounder to second rolled under Randy Velarde's glove for an error, which allowed Servais to reach, Estes went down swinging for out number two, but Marvin Benard's base hit to right scored Aurilia to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.

In the sixth with the Giants leading 2-1, J.T. Snow led off with a double to right. Jeff Kent's liner was speared by Velarde for the first out, but Ellis Burks lined a double into the right center power alley to bring Snow home and extend the Giants' lead to 3-1. Bonds followed with a base hit to center that brought Burks home to make it 4-1.

In the seventh, he singled to right.

Bonds finished two for four with an RBI. He's now batting .263 (122-463) with forty-four home runs and 115 runs batted in, which puts him in a three-way tie for tenth in the National League RBI race with the Rockies' Larry Walker and the Pirates' Brian Giles.

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

In the top of the first, Velarde hit the third pitch of the game over the wall in left center field, bis seventeenth of the year, to give the Angels a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh with the Giants leading 4-1. center fielder Garret Anderson lined a leadoff double off the right field wall. Estes got the next two outs. as third baseman Troy Glaus struck out swinging and left fielder Tim Unroe grounded to third. That brought up shortstop Andy Sheets, who lined a base hit to left center that brought Anderson home and established our final score: Giants 4, Angels 2.

Final totals: Giants 4-13-0, Angels 2-7-1.

Pitcher's records remain the same.

HR- ANA: Velarde (17)
SF: Servais (5)

LHR- SF: Kent (22)

Estes was named Player of the Game by Fox. He pitched a complete game, giving up two runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out nine. He threw 115 pitches.

Bonds made his real-life return for the third game of the Angels series on June 9, His next day off came on June 16, when the Giants faced the Rockies in the final game of a three-game series at Coors Field. Mark Gardner will start for the Giants, while Darryl Kile takes the ball for the Rox. The game will start at 3PM Eastern, and ESPN will televise the game nationally, with Jon Miller and Joe Morgan on the call.

Next: The Giants take on the Rockies.

Thoughts:

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's Wednesday, June 16, and the Giants are facing the Rockies in the third game of a three-game series at Coors Field. Mark Gardner is pitching for the Giants, while Darryl Kile goes to the hill for the Rockies. Bonds is in left field and will bat second, as his replacement F.P. Santangelo did in real life. The Giants won the actual game 15-2. This game will be nationally televised by ESPN.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the top of the first, Marvin Benard drew a leadoff walk, then stole second. Bonds' grounder to second moved him to third, and he scored on J.T. Snow's double to center to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

In the third, Benard was hit on the side of the knee by a pitch from Kile. He then stole second. Bonds walked to put two men on. and Snow stroked a single to right that scored Benard to extend the Frisco lead to 2-0. Jeff Kent was next, and he hit Kile's 2-1 fastball over the left center field wall for a three-run homer, his twenty-third of the year, to make it 5-0 Frisco,

In the sixth, he flew to left.

In the ninth, he walked, then stole second.

In the tenth with the score tied at eight, Rich Aurilia lined a leadoff single to left center. Ellis Burks came off the bench to bat for Scott Servais, and he lined Rockies reliever Jerry DiPoto's first pitch over the wall in left center for a two-run homer that put the Giants in front 10-8, It was Burks' thirty-second homer of the year. Bonds struck out swinging to end the inning. Burks' homer turned out to be the game-winner, as reliever Julian Tavarez pitched a one-two-three bottom of the tenth to preserve the Giants' 10-8 win.

The biggest moment of Bonds' day cane in the sixth, with the Giants leading 5-3, The inning began when Gardner reached base after Rockies shortstop Neifi Perez couldn't handle his grounder, After Benard struck out swinging, Bonds stepped into the batter's box against Rockies reliever John Thomson. With the count one ball and one strike. here's the call from ESPN's Jon Miller, who's also the voice of the Giants:

"A ball and a strike to Bonds, Gardner's no threat to run, so he's not being held on by Helton. There's a look at this sellout crowd at Coors Field, and they want history almost as much as a Rockies win, Kile shakes off the sign from the former Giant Mainwaring, now another shake, then a nod. Checks the runner just in case, now the one-one......pulled down the right field line, Walker going back, ball's still carrying, Walker at the wall.......GONE! THAT'S 799 FOR BARRY BONDS! THE GIANTS LEAD 7-3, AND BONDS IS ONE AWAY FROM EIGHT HUNDRED!..............There are those opposed to Bonds' pursuit of worldwide immortality. but you won't find them here today, This place is on its feet, and they want a curtain call, even though their team's down by four. HERE HE COMES!......Now he's tipping his hat to the Colorado dugout, and he's being answered by his former manager in Pittsburgh, Jim Leyland, who's wiping away a tear. Now he's sitting back down, but the ovation hasn't stopped, and it won't for a few more moments."

Joe Morgan: "I'm just pleased to be here and witness this. It's not a classic no-doubter home run; it's more of a testament to Bonda' extraordinary strength that this one even got out. (Rockies right fielder Larry) Walker had a play until the very last second, but the ball has just enough carry on it to get over Walker's glove by an inch or so, As I said, I'm pleased to be here to watch the man I consider to be the greatest offensive player in baseball history try to become not just the greatest home run hitter in MLB, but in recorded baseball anywhere."

Bonds finished one for four plus two walks with a home run, a stolen base, two runs scored, and two RBIs. He's now batting .263 (123-467) with forty-five home runs and 117 runs batted in, As Jon mentioned above, he now has 799 career home runs, one shy of eight hundred and sixty-nine behind Sadaharu Oh.

As for this year, he's now tied for fourth in the National League home run race with the Reds' Greg Vaughn, and he's tenth in the National League's RBI race, one behind Vaughn for ninth. He's also tied with Vaughn for fifth in the major league home run race. He's now walked ninety-three times and struck out seventy-seven times. He's hit a home run every 10.4 at-bats. By my unofficial count, his stolen base in this game means that he's now stolen seventeen bases in nineteen attempts for a percentage of 89.4 percent, exactly five points behind the Phillies' Doug Glanville,

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

In the bottom of the third, Rockies catcher Kirt Manwaring hit a leadoff home run, his third of the year, into the first row of seats in left field to put the Rockies on the board. Terry Shumpert batted for Kile and walked, then stole second. He moved to third on center fielder Darryl Hamilton's bouncer to first. Shortstop Neifi Perez was next. and he hit Gardner's two-ball pitch over the wall in center for a two-run homer that cut the Frisco lead to 5-3. It was his thirteenth homer of the year,

The Giants added a run to their 7-3 lead in the fifth. Right fielder Armando Rios walked, stole second, and scored on third baseman Charlie Hayes' single to left, It was 8-3 Frisco after four and a half.

The Rockies scored twice in the sixth. With one out, first baseman Todd Helton lined a double into the right center power alley. That brought up second baseman Lenny Harris, whose fly ball eluded Benard in deep right center and skittered to the wall, Harris changed places with Helton, and it was an 8-4 game. Harris was discouraged from trying for a triple by a strong one-hop throw to third from Benard. Manwaring's bouncer to short failed to advance the runner, but Kurt Abbott (batting for Thomson) beat out another bouncer to short for an infield single. With runners now at the corners, John Johnstone was called out of the Giants' pen to pitch to Hamilton. who won the matchup by lining a base hit to right center. Harris scored, and the Rox were within 8-5.

The home squad scored again in the bottom of the seventh when future Hall of Famer Larry Walker hit Johnstone's 0-1 slider just over the wall in center to cut the Giants' lead to 8-6. It was Walker's thirty-eighth home run of the year.

The Rox completed their comeback in the bottom of the ninth against Robbie Nen. Left fielder Dante Bichette walked with one out, but was forced by third baseman Vinny Castilla. Helton's single to left center put runners at the corners, and Harris followed with a double over Rios' head in right. Castilla and Helton scored. and the game was tied at eight.

Final totals: Giants 10-11-1, Rockies 8-13-1,

W- Tavarez (3-0)
L- DiPoto (4-6)

DW- Gardner (4-11)
DL- Kile (8-12)

HR- SF: Bonds (45), Burks (32), Kent (22)
COL: Walker (38). Perez (13), Manwaring (3)

Note: Kent hit two home runs in the actual game, which means that he loses one, as you'll see below.

LHR- SF: Snow (24), Kent (21)
COL: Castilla (32)

Next: Bonds and the Giants begin a three-game series against the Brewers at 3Com Park on Monday, June 21. Game time has been moved to 8PM Eastern to allow NBC's first regular season telecast in ten years. Bob Costas and Joe Morgan will call the action. Gardner will once again pitch for the Giants. while Hideo Nomo pitches for the Brewers.

Thoughts?