|
|
The San Francisco
Giants hope to have Barry Bonds back in the lineup as they begin their first
full week on the road with a three-game series against the New York Mets.
Bonds, who spoke of fatigue early last week, did not start in San Francisco's
9-8 win in 11 innings over the Florida Marlins on Sunday because of a sinus
infection.
However, Bonds did help the Giants win the game, drawing a leadoff walk and scoring the winning run on Yorvit Torrealba's double in the 11th inning.
``I didn't want to use Barry,'' Giants manager Felipe Alou said. ``I've been there before. You use all your energy by playing, playing, running. ... We had to put him in, but we knew they weren't going to give him much to hit.''
San Francisco has played 17 of its last 20 games at home and 23 in a row without leaving California, yet still remains near the bottom of the NL West.
The Giants, though, won the last three games of their four-game series with
Florida.
``We're slowly getting more confident in ourselves, and it's spreading over the team,'' said Torrealba, who also had a grand slam in the second inning Sunday. ``Sometimes it just takes one guy to start hitting, and everybody else follows. Barry has been the only guy who's hitting, but hopefully other guys will start.''
Torrealba, the Giants' backup catcher, wasn't in the lineup until moments after batting practice, when A.J. Pierzynski was ruled out with a sore right shoulder. Torrealba responded with three hits, including his first career slam.
``It's tough when you don't play,'' Torrealba said, ``but I just try to take advantage of whatever I can.''
New York snapped the San Diego Padres' six-game winning streak with a 6-2 win Sunday.
Second baseman Danny Garcia hit his first homer of the season for the Mets, who avoided a three-game sweep and completed a 3-6 road trip. Garcia is batting .375 (6-for-16) with four RBIs since being called up to replace the injured Ty Wigginton.
Mike Piazza, tied
with Carlton Fisk for most career homers as a catcher (351), played first base
Sunday and went 0-for-4 with an intentional walk. He also made some fine plays
in the field, particularly on throws to first. Following an off day, Piazza
is expected to be the starting catcher Tuesday.
Back To Index Page