Bonds 1 homer closer to Aaron
SAN FRANCISCO — A month ago, it looked as if Barry Bonds might break the home run record by the All-Star game or perhaps even as early as June. He'd already hit 10 homers and May had barely begun.
It's anybody's guess now when the San Francisco slugger will pass Hank Aaron's career mark of 755. Bonds has slowed down that much.
He showed signs of progress with his 747th homer Monday night, moving him within eight of Hammerin' Hank with a two-run shot during the Giants' 4-3 win over Toronto. It was only the second home run since May 8 for Bonds and second this month.
Matt Morris (7-3) recovered from a shaky start and pitched a seven-hitter for his 23rd career complete game and third this season — and the right-hander's performance was all Bonds cared to discuss.
"Great pitching performance, that's it, and we finally came through on offense," said Bonds, who lately has said he doesn't want to talk about his personal accomplishments and would rather focus on the team.
"Hopefully, that's some momentum we need to start going forward."
And then he was off, headed home with his son, Nikolai.
Bonds — who turns 43 on July 24 — hit his first homer of the year April 4, two on April 13 and another April 18. Then on back-to-back days the 21st and 22nd. He connected April 25 and 28, May 2 and May 5. Yet, since his two-run shot off the Mets' Tom Glavine on May 8, Bonds has only two homers in 79 at-bats.
And he doesn't seem the least bit worried, either, still going about his business with a smile and focus that has defined his 22-year major league career.
At Los Angeles, James Loney doubled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning in his second big league game this season, and the Dodgers rallied to hand the slumping NL East leaders their seventh loss in eight games.
At Philadelphia, Adam Eaton (7-4) pitched four-hit ball for seven innings, and Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins homered off Javier Vazquez (3-5). Antonio Alfonseca got his fifth save.
At Chicago, Carlos Zambrano mixed his pitches instead of his punches and hit his second homer of the season to lead the Cubs.In his first appearance at Wrigley Field since his June 1 fight with catcher Michael Barrett, Zambrano (7-5) allowed three hits and an unearned run in eight strong innings. He struck out eight and threw 128 pitches, outdueling hard-luck loser Woody Williams (2-9).
At Cleveland, Raul Ibanez hit a pair of two-run homers and doubled home the go-ahead run in the ninth, leading Seattle to its fourth straight victory and eighth in nine games.Ibanez also tripled for the Mariners, who recovered after squandering a 7-0 lead. Jose Lopez hit a two-run homer. The game was a makeup of an April 7 snowout at Jacobs Field.
