King of the World: Barry Bonds Chases Sadaharu Oh

Garrett Garlits · Mar 26, 2024

It's Monday, May 31, 1999, and the Giants are beginning a four-game series against the Phillies at Veterans Stadium. Kirk Rueter will start for the Giants, while Randy Wolf gets the ball for the Phillies. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life. The Phillies won the actual game, 4-3.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the second with the Phillies leading 1-0, Jeff Kent drew a leadoff walk. Ellis Burks beat out a grounder to short for an infield single to put two men on, and Bonds followed with a fly ball to right center that dropped on the warning track and bounced over the wall for a book-rule double. Kent was awarded home plate to tie the game at one, but Burks had to stop at third. Rich Aurilia's popup was caught by Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal for the first out, and catcher Brent Mayne flew to Bobby Abreu in right for the second out, which brought Burks home to give the Giants a 2-1 lead. Rueter was called out on strikes to end the inning.

In the fourth with the Phillies leading 5-3, Bonds' fly to the warning track in right was caught by Abreu for out number one. Aurilia followed with a single to left, and Mayne walked to put two men on. Reliever Felix Rodriguez was next, and his base hit to right center scored Aurlila to cut the Philly lead to 5-4 after three and a half.

In the fifth with two out, Burks lined a double off the wall in left.

Bonds was next, and he hit Wolf's 1-1 hanging curve into the third row of seats in right center for a two-run homer, his fifty-eighth of the year and undisputed career homer Number 830. He's now thirty-eight homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh. The ball traveled an estimated 403 feet. (Right field is 371 feet from home plate at Veterans Stadium.) The Giants led 6-5 after four and a half, and there was no further scoring.

In the seventh, Burks drew a two-out walk, but Bonds was retired on a comebacker to the mound to end the inning.

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

In the bottom of the first, center fielder Doug Glanville grounded Rueter's first pitch inside the first base bag and down the right field line for a leadoff double. He held at second while second baseman Kevin Jordan grounded to third for out number one, but third baseman Scott Rolen doubled down the left field line to score Glanville and give the Phils a 1-0 lead.

The Fightins answered the Giants' pair of runs in the second by scoring four times. With one out, Lieberthal singled to left center. Shortstop Alex Arias beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to put two men on. Wolf helped his own cause by serving a bloop into right center for a single that scored Lieberthal and tied the game at two. Glanville forced Wolf for the second out, with Arias moving to third. Jordan was next, and his single to left cashed in Arias to give the Phils a 3-2 lead while Glanville moved to third. Rolen topped off the inning with a double to center which scored Glanville and Jordan and extended the Philly lead to 5-2.

The Giants scored their other run in the top of the third. With one out, third baseman Bill Mueller singled up the middle. Snow's fly to left was caught at the wall by the Phillies' Ron Gant for out number one. but Kent grounded one inside the third base bag and down the left field line for a double. Mueller scored, and the Giants now trailed 5-3.

Final totals: Giants 6-10-0, Phillies 5-8-0.

W- F. Rodriguez (3-2)
S- Nen (34)
L- Wolf (6-10)

HR- SF: Bonds (58)

DW- Perez (2-1)
DS- Gomes (17)
DL- Johnstone (4-3)

LHR- PHI: Arias (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: 73-89- 26 GB
Rockies: 72-90- 27 GB

In the East:

Braves: 104-58
Mets: 95-67- 9 GB
Phillies: 76-86- 28 GB
Expos: 68-94- 36 GB
Marlins: 65-97- 39 GB

Bonds was named Player of the Game. He finished two for four with a home run and three RBIs. He's currently batting .279 (152-545) with fifty-eight home runs and 145 runs batted in.

Next: The Giants host the Cardinals on Friday, July 9. Darren Oliver will start for the Cardinals, while Rueter once again gets the ball for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Mar 27, 2024

It's Friday, July 9, 1999, and the Giants are hosting the Cardinals in the first game of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Garrett Stephenson will pitch for the Cardinals, while Kirk Rueter goes to the mound 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 5-4 in eleven innings.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first with one out, third baseman Bill Mueller's bloop fell in center field for a single. J,T, Snow walked to put two men on, but the runners had to hold when Jeff Kent flew to J,D, Drew in shallow left center for out number two. Ellis Burks grounded the first pitch he saw down to short; the Cardinals Edgar Renteria made the stop but dropped the ball when he tried to throw to first. Burks reached on the error, and the bases were loaded. It was now Stephenson against Bonds, and the battle was won by Stephenson when Barry struck out swinging to end the inning.

In the fourth with the Cards leading 2-0, Burks led off with a double into the right center power alley. Bonds lined a single to center that brought Burks home and cut the St. Louis lead to 2-1. He then stole second, and Cardinals catcher Alberto Castillo's pickoff throw went into center field, allowing Bonds to go to third. Aurilia's base hit to right center brought Bonds home to tie the game at two. Catcher Scott Servais was next, and he hit Stephenson's 1-1 hanging curveball down the right field line and over the wall for his fifth home run of the year to give the Giants a 4-2 lead.

That was all for Stephenson; Heathcliff Slocumb relieved and retired Rueter on a fly to shallow center. But the Cardinals' defense let them down again when second baseman Placido Polanco muffed Benard's grounder, allowing Marvin to reach, Mueller's base hit to right put runners at the corners, Snow grounded into a force play, which eliminated Mueller but allowed Benard to score, extending the Giants' lead to 5-2. Kent's grounder to Renteria at short retired the side,

In the fifth, Bonds grounded to short.

In the seventh, Burks drew a leadoff walk. Bonds struck out swinging for out number one, Aurilia forced Burks for the second out, and Servais's popup behind second was caught by Polanco to end the inning.

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

In the top of the third, Castillo led off with a single to right center. Polanco followed by hitting Rueter's 1-0 fastball over the wall in right center for a two-run homer to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. It was Polanco's second home run of the year.

In the bottom of the sixth with the Giants leading 5-2, Servais led off with a base hit to left. Rueter's liner back to the mound was speared by reliever Rich Croushore for the first out, but Benard was hit in the forearm by a pitch to put two men on. Mueller struck out swinging for the second out, but Snow stroked a single to right center that brought home Servais to give the Boys from the Bay a 6-2 lead.

In the top of the ninth with one out, Castillo hit an 0-2 fastball from reliever John Johnstone over the left center field wall for his fifth home run of the year to establish our final: Giants 6, Cardinals 3.

Final totals: Giants 6-9-2, Cardinals 3-8-3.

W- Rueter (14-14)
L- Stephenson (7-4)

HR- STL: Castillo (5), Polanco (2)
SF: Servais (5)

DW- F. Rodriguez (2-2)
DL- Aybar (4-5)

LHR- SF: Burks (33), Snow (23)

Bonds was one for four with a run scored and an RBI. He's currently batting .279 (153-549) with fifty-eight home runs and 146 runs batted in.

Next: The Giants invade Turner Field in Atlanta to battle the Braves on Saturday, August 7, Russ Ortiz will pitch for the Giants, while Odalis Perez goes to the hill for the Braves,

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Mar 28, 2024

It's Saturday, August 7, 1999, and the Giants are taking on the Braves in the second game of a three-game series at Turner Field, Russ Ortiz will start for the Giants, while Odalis Perez gets the ball for the Braves. Bonds is in left field and will bat second, as his replacement F.P. Santangelo did in real life. The Braves won the actual game, 15-4.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first, Marvin Benard's leadoff bloop fell in right center field for a double. After Bonds was called out on strikes for out number one, first baseman Charlie Hayes whacked Perez's 1-2 fastball over the right center field wall for a two-run homer to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. It was Hayes' ninth home run of the year.

In the second with one out, second baseman Ramon Martinez lined a single to right. Catcher Scott Servais singled to left center to put runners at the corners, and Ortiz helped himself out with a lined single to right center that scored Martinez to give the Giants a 3-0 lead. Benard walked on a three-two pitch to load the bases, and Bonds walked to force Servais home and extend the Giants' lead to 4-0. Perez managed to get out of trouble without further damage, as Hayes flew to Brian Jordan in right and Burks grounded to short to end the inning with the bases still loaded.

In the fourth with two out, Bonds doubled to right. Hayes flew to Andruw Jones in left center to end the inning.

In the sixth with two out, Benard walked and stole second. Bonds' line drive was caught by Braves first baseman Ryan Klesko to retire the side.

In the eighth with two out, Benard and Bonds drew back-to-back walks, but Braves reliever Kevin McGlinchy struck Hayes out swinging to end the inning.

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

In the top of the fifth with the Giants leading 4-0, Burks blasted Perez's 2-0 hanging slider into the upper deck in center field for a home run to increase the Giants lead to 5-0. It was Burks' thirty-fourth home run of the year. The ball traveled an estimated distance of 439 feet. (Center field is 401 feet away from home plate at Turner Field.)

In the bottom of the sixth with one out, third baseman Chipper Jones hit Ortiz's 3-2 fastball over the left center field wall for a home run, his forty-eighth of the year, to put the Braves on the board. Jordan followed with a lined single to left center, and a wild pitch by Ortiz moved him to second. Klesko's base hit to right put runners at the corners, and a walk to Andruw loaded the bases. Catcher Greg Myers slapped a single out past the mound and into center, which scored Jordan to cut the Frisco lead to 5-2.

The bases were still loaded for shortstop Walt Weiss, but his fly to Bonds in left for the second out was too shallow to score Klesko from third. Randall Simon batted for Perez and flew to Benard in right center to retire the side.

In the top of the seventh, Hayes drew a leadoff walk against Braves reliever Mike Remlinger. Burks followed by crushing a two-run homer into the third row of seats in left center field to increase the Giants' lead to 7-2. It was his second home run of the day and thirty-fifth of the year, and the ball traveled an estimated 406 feet. (Left center field is 380 feet away from home plate at Turner Field.)

In the bottom of the seventh, left fielder Gerald Williams led off by beating out a grounder to second for an infield single. Bret Boone batted for second baseman Keith Lockhart and walked to put two men on, but Chipper struck out swinging for out number one. Jordan's bouncer to third moved the runners up ninety feet, and Klesko got the Braves back into the game when he hit Ortiz's first-pitch fastball down the right field line and over the wall for a three-run homer, his twenty-seventh of the year. After seven, it was Giants 7, Braves 5.

In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Chipper hit a 1-1 fastball from Giants closer Robbie Nen over the right field wall for his second home run of the day and forty-ninth of the year to make it 7-6. That turned out to be our final, as Nen retired Jordan on a grounder to short and Klesko's line drive was gloved by new Giants first baseman J.T. Snow to end the game.

Final totals: Giants 7-11-1, Braves 6-9-0,

W- Ortiz (20-7)
S- Nen (35)
L- O. Perez (5-7)

HR- SF: Burks 2 (35). Hayes (9)
ATL: C. Jones 2 (49), Klesko (27)

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

DL- Mulholland (10-7)

LHR- ATL: Jordan (22), G. Williams (16)

Burks was named Player of the Game. He was two for four plus a walk with two home runs and three RBIs.

Bonds was one for three plus two walks with an RBI. He's currently batting .279 (154-552) with fifty-eight home runs and 147 runs batted in. He's walked 113 times.

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 90-72- 9 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 73-89- 26 GB
Rockies: 72-90- 27 GB

In the East:

Braves: 103-59
Mets: 95-67- 8 GB
Phillies: 76-86- 27 GB
Expos: 68-94- 35 GB
Marlins: 65-97- 38 GB

Next: The Giants host the Marlins on Tuesday, September 14. Ryan Dempster will pitch for the Marlins, while Shawn Estes gets the ball for the Giants,

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Mar 29, 2024

It's Tuesday, September 14, 1999, and the Giants are hosting the Marlins in the second game of a three-game series at 3Com Park, Ryan Dempster will start for the Marlins, while Shawn Estes goes to the mound for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat third, as his replacement Armando Rios did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 3-0.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, he took a called third strike.

In the fourth with the Marlins leading 1-0, he led off by lining Dempster's 1-1 fastball into the seats in left center field for his fifty-ninth home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 831. He's now thirty-seven home runs behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh. The game was tied at one.

Dempster got the next two outs, as Jeff Kent was called out on strikes and J.T. Snow flew to Preston Wilson in left center. But Burks untied the game with one swing, as he socked Dempster's first-pitch slider into the seats in left center for a home run of his own to give the Giants a 2-1 lead. It was his thirty-sixth home run of the year. Catcher Brent Mayne walked to keep the inning alive, but Rich Aurilia flew to Cliff Floyd in left to retire the side.

In the sixth, Bonds drew a leadoff walk, but Kent grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Snow grounded to second to end the inning.

In the eighth, third baseman Bill Mueller led off with a lined single to right center. Bonds walked to put two men on, and Kent beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to load the bases. Snow popped to Luis Castillo at second for out number one, but Burks walked on five pitches to force in Mueller and extend the Giants' lead to 3-1, which was our final.

Braden Looper came out of the Florida pen to pitch to Mayne and got out of the inning with a double play, as Brent hit a line drive right into Castillo's glove. Burks had been running on the pitch, and Luis saw him hurrying to get back to first and threw to Derrek Lee , who was waiting at the bag and tagged Burks to end the inning.

The Marlins scored their only run in the top of the fourth. With one out, shortstop Dave Berg was hit in the wrist by an Estes fastball. Right fielder Bruce Aven lined a single to center that moved Berg to third. Floyd flew to Benard in shallow right center for out number two, but Wilson lined a base hit to left that cashed in Berg to give the Fish a 1-0 lead.

Final totals: Giants 3-6-0, Marlins 1-7-0.

Pitchers' records remain the same.

S- Nen (36)

HR- SF: Bonds (59), Burks (36)

LHR- SF: Mayne (1)

Estes was named Player of the Game. He held the Marlins to one run on seven hits over seven innings while walking one, striking out four, and throwing ninety-five pitches.

Bonds was one for two plus two walks with a home run. He's currently batting .280 (155-554) with fifty-nine home runs and 148 runs batted in. He's walked 115 times.

Next: The Giants host the Diamondbacks on Saturday, September 25. Armando Reynoso will start for the D-Backs, while Russ Ortiz takes the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Mar 30, 2024

It's Saturday, September 25, 1999, and the Giants are hosting the Diamondbacks in the second game of a three-game series at 3Com Park, Armando Reynoso will pitch for the Diamondbacks, while Russ Ortiz gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat third, as his replacement Armando Rios did in real life. The Diamondbacks won the actual game, 7-1.

Let's examine Bonds at-bats first:

In the first with the Diamondbacks leading 5-0, right fielder Marvin Benard led off with a double off the wall in center. Center fielder F.P. Santangelo was retired on a comebacker to Reynoso for the first out. Bonds hit a fly ball to right that was dropped by Snakes right fielder Travis Lee, allowing Barry to reach and Benard to go to third Jeff Kent hit a slow roller to first for out number two, which allowed Benard to score and put the Giants on the board. Bonds moved to second on the out, but he was stranded when J;T. Snow grounded to second to end the inning.

In the third with the D-Backs leading 9-1, Ellis Burks batted for reliever Rich Rodriguez and beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single. A wild pitch by Reynoso moved him to second, and Benard's grounder to second moved him to third. Santangelo's grounder to second brought him home, and it was 9-2. Bonds also grounded to short to end the inning.

In the fifth, catcher Brent Mayne drew a leadoff walk, but was forced by reliever Joe Nathan, who was in turn forced by Benard. Santangelo's single to right put runners at the corners, and Bonds lined another single to right that scored Benard to cut the Arizona lead to 9-3. Santangelo moved to third on the hit, but he was stranded when Kent's foul pop was caught by D-Backs third baseman Andy Fox to end the inning.

In the eighth with the D-Backs leading 11-3, Bonds hit a 1-2 fastball from D-Backs reliever Bobby Chouinard over the wall in right center field for his sixtieth home run of the year and undisputed homer Number 832. He's now thirty-six home runs behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh. Our final: Diamondbacks 11, Giants 4.

Here's how the Diamondbacks scored their runs:

The visitors jumped on Ortiz right away with five runs in the top of the first. Second baseman Tony Womack drew a leadoff walk, then stole second. Shortstop Hanley Frias's bloop fell in the left center power alley for a double, which scored Womack and gave the Snakes a 1-0 lead. Frias held at second while left fielder Luis Gonzalez flew to Benard in shallow right for out number one, but first baseman Eurebiel Durazo stroked a base hit to right that scored Frias to make it 2-0 Arizona. Center fielder Steve Finley singled to right to put runners at the corners, and Lee followed with another base hit to right that brought home Durazo to give the Snakes a 3-0 lead.

Giants pitching coach Ron Perranoski went out to the mound to try to get Ortiz back on track, but it didn't work; catcher Kelly Stinnett lined the first pitch he saw into left for a base hit to score Finley and make it 4-0 while Lee moved to third. Fox bounced into a force play for out number two, which eliminated Stinnett but brought Lee home with the fifth Arizona run. Reynoso's fly to Santangelo in left center ended the inning.

The Snakes added four more runs in the second. Womack drew another leadoff walk. Frias hit a sizzling line drive back to the mound that Ortiz gloved in self-defense for out number one. After Womack stole second, Gonzalez flew to Benard in shallow right for the second out. Durazo walked to put two men on, and Finley put an end to Ortiz's evening by whacking his first-pitch fastball down the right field line and over the wall for a three-run homer to extend the Snakes' lead to 8-0. It was Finley's thirty-fifth home run of the year.

Felix Rodriguez came out of the Frisco pen to face Lee and walked him on four pitches. Stinnett followed with a lined double off the wall in left that brought Lee home to make it 9-0 Snakes. Fox's fly to shallow right center finally retired the side.

In the top of the eighth with the D-Backs leading 9-3, Womack lined a leadoff single to right center. Frias lined a base hit up the middle to move Womack to third, and Gonzalez's base hit to left center scored Womack with the Snakes' tenth run, Frias moved to third on the hit and scored when Durazo grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

Final totals: Diamondbacks 11-13-1, Giants 4-9-0,

W- Reynoso (9-7)
L- Ortiz (20-8)

HR- ARZ: Finley (35)
SF: Bonds (60)

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

DW- Olson (8-4)
DL- Nen (1-10)

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

Bonds was two for four with a home run and two RBIs. He's currently batting .281 (157-558) with sixty home runs and 150 runs batted in.

Next: Game 3 between the Diamondbacks and the Giants on Sunday, September 26. Omar Daal will pitch for the Diamondbacks, while Shawn Estes heads to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Mar 31, 2024

It's Sunday, September 26, 1999, and the Giants are hosting the Diamondbacks in the third and final game of a three-game series at 3Com Park. Omar Daal will start for the Diamondbacks, while Kirk Rueter gets the ball for the Giants, Bonds is in left field and batting second, as his replacement Marvin Benard did in real life. The Diamondbacks won the actual game, 7-1.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first with one out, he lined a double into the left center power alley. Ellis Burks' line drive was caught by D-Backs first baseman Greg Colbrunn for the second out, and Jeff Kent's fly to deep left center was caught by Steve Finley to end the inning.

In the third with two out, Benard (who started in center instead of left) walked but was forced by Bonds to end the inning.

In the sixth, Bonds flew to Tony Womack in right.

In the eighth with two out and the Diamondbacks leading 3-0, he smacked Daal's 2-1 hanging curveball into the third row of seats in right center to put the Giants on the board, It was his sixty-first home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 833. He's now thirty-five homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh. The ball traveled an estimated distance of 393 feet; right center field is 362 feet away from home plate at 3Com Park.

Now let's see how the Diamondbacks scored their runs:

In the top of the first, center fielder Steve Finley led off with a base hit to right center. Second baseman Jay Bell's line drive was caught by Giants shortstop Wilson Delgado for out number one, and Delgado also caught Colbrunn's popup for the second out. That brought up third baseman (and former Giant) Matt Williams, who hit Rueter's first-pitch fastball over the left field wall for a two-run homer, his thirty-fifth of the year. The Snakes led 2-0 after half an inning.

In the top of the eighth with two out, Bell hammered reliever John Johnstone's 1-1 curveball over the right field wall for his thirty-ninth home run of the year to give the Snakes a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the ninth i, Williams greeted Giants reliever Rich Rodriguez with a single to left. He was forced by left fielder Bernard Gilkey for out number one, but Womack and shortstop Hanley Frias drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Catcher Kelly Stinnett was next, and he hit Rich's 1-0 fastball down the right field line and over the wall for a grand slam, his fifteenth home run of the year, to give the D-Backs a 7-0 lead.

Rich was relieved by Felix Rodriguez (no relation), who got the first out of the inning when Daal grounded to second. Finley followed with a double over Benard's head in center and scored when Bell grounded one past a diving Felix and up the middle for a single. The D-Backs now led 8-1, which was our final.

Final totals: Diamondbacks 8-8-0, Giants 1-3-2.

Pitchers' records remain the same.

HR- ARZ: Bell (39), M. Williams (35), Stinnett (15)
SF: Bonds (61)

LHR- ARZ: Colbrunn (4)

Daal and Stinnett shared Player of the Game honors. Stinnett's ninth-inning grand slam broke the game open, while Daal went the distance, holding the Giants to one run on three hits while walking two and striking out four.

Bonds was two for four with a home run. He's currently batting .283 (159-562) with sixty-one home runs and 151 runs batted in.

Next: The Giants open their final series of the year against the Rockies at Coors Field on Friday, October 1. Russ Ortiz will start for the Giants, while Pedro Astacio gets the ball for the Rockies.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 1, 2024

It's Friday, October 1, 1999, and the Giants are facing the Rockies in the first game of a three-game series at Coors Field. Russ Ortiz will pitch for the Giants, while Pedro Astacio heads to the mound for the Rockies. Bonds is in left field and will bat third, as his replacement Armando Rios did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 9-4.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first, right fielder Marvin Benard led off with a base hit to right center. Center fielder F.P. Santangelo lined a base hit to right that moved Benard to third, and Marvin scored when Bonds forced Santangelo. It was 1-0 Giants after a half.

In the third, Bonds popped to Neifi Perez at short.

In the fifth with the Rockies leading 4-1, catcher Brent Mayne led off by drawing a five-pitch walk. Ortiz's liner was caught by third baseman Vinny Castilla for out number one. Benard took a called third strike for out number two, but a passed ball charged to Rockies catcher Ben Petrick moved Mayne to second. Santangelo lined a double off the right center field wall to score Mayne and cut the Rockies' lead to 4-2. Bonds walked to put two men on, and J.T. Snow's single to right center cashed in Santangelo and made it 4-3. Bonds went to third on the hit, but Rich Aurilia forced him to end the inning.

In the sixth with one out, Jeff Kent was hit in the knee by a pitch. Mayne walked to put two men on, and Ellis Burks was sent to the plate to bat for Ortiz. His base hit to right scored Kent to tie the game at four. Curtis Leskanic was called of the Rockies' pen to face Benard, and he retired Marvin on a force play while Mayne moved to third. Santangelo's base hit to right center scored Mayne to put the Giants in front 5-4.

Bonds was next, and he hit Leskanic's 0-2 curveball into the right field upper deck for a three-run homer, his sixty-second of the year and undisputed career homer Number 834. He's now thirty-four home runs behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh. The ball traveled an estimated 382 feet; right field is 350 feet from home plate at Coors Field. The Giants led 8-4 after five and a half.

In the eighth with the Giants leading 9-5, Benard led off with a lined single to right, then stole second. Next was the pitcher's spot, with Armando Rios batting for reliever Rich Rodriguez. Rios hit a 1-1 curveball from Rockies reliever Jerry Di Poto over the left field wall for a two-run homer to extend the Frisco lead to 11-5. It was his ninth homer of the year.

Bonds flew to shallow right for the first out, but Snow whacked a double down the left field line to keep the inning alive. Petrick threw a pickoff attempt into center field, which allowed Snow to move to third. Aurilia bounced to short for the second out, and third baseman Bill Mueller grounded to Rockies first baseman Todd Helton to end the inning.

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

In the bottom of the first with the Giants leading 1-0, Perez led off with a single to right, Second baseman Terry Shumpert flew to Santangelo in shallow center for the first out. Helton beat out a bouncer to second for an infield single to put two men on, and left fielder Dante Bichette's single to right center loaded the bases. Castilla lined a base hit to right to score Perez and tie the game at one.

Right fielder Larry Walker was next, and he walked on five pitches to force Helton home and give the Rox a 2-1 lead. Center fielder Edgard Clemente hit a slow roller to first SSnow charged the ball and shoveled it to Mayne at the plate for the force on Bichette. Petrick's fly to Bonds in left ended the inning with the bases still loaded.

In the bottom of the second with two out, Shumpert singled to left. Helton followed with a double into the right center power alley that scored Shumpert and extended the Colorado lead to 3-1.

In the bottom of the third with one out, right fielder Larry Walker hit Ortiz's 1-2 fastball over the wall in right center for his thirty-eighth home run of the year to make it 4-1 Rox.

In the top of the seventh with two out and the Giants leading 8-4, Kent walked on four pitches. Mayne lined a double into the right center power alley that brought Kent home and extended the Giants' lead to 9-4.

In the bottom of the seventh, Bichette led off by hammering Giants reliever John Johnstone's first-pitch fastball into the first row of seats in left field for a home run that cut the Frisco lead to 9-5. It was Bichette's thirty-fifth homer of the year.

The Giants led 11-5 going into the bottom of the ninth, and Jerry Spradlin was brought out of the bullpen for mop-up duty. Helton led off and hit a bloop that fell in right center and kicked past Burks, who had stayed in the game. Helton stopped at second with a leadoff double. Bichette struck out swinging for out number one, but Castilla lined a base hit to left that put runners at the corners. Walker followed with another single to left that scored Helton to make it 11-6. Next up was Clemente, who took the first three pitches he saw for balls. Figuring that Spradlin's next pitch was coming right down the middle, Clemente sat dead-red fastball, got it, and blasted it over the wall in right center for a three-run homer, his ninth of the year.

Now it was 11-9, and Rockies manager Jim Leyland called on Henry Blanco to bat for Petrick. Again, Spradlin couldn't find the plate, throwing two consecutive balls. Blanco fouled off the two-ball pitch, but the 2-1 almost went to the backstop. After another foul ball, Spradlin tried to hit the outside corner with the next pitch, but Blanco turned on it and drilled it deep to center. Burks took two steps and gave up, watching as the ball disappeared over the wall in center for a second consecutive home run and Blanco's seventh of the year. Our score: Giants 11, Rockies 10.

Giants manager Dusty Baker excused Spradlin in favor of closer Robbie Nen, and Leyland went back to his bench for J.R. Phillips, who was batting for reliever Mark Brownson. Phillips hit a two-hopper to short that rolled up Rich Aurilia's arm. Phillips was safe on the error, and starting pitcher Brian Bohanon ran for him at first. Perez walked to put two men on, and Nen fell behind Shumpert three balls and a strike before coming back to strike him out swinging.

Now it was back to Helton, who was the tenth man to bat in the inning. Todd lined Nen's 1-1 fastball into left center for a base hit. Bohanon scored from second, and we were tied at eleven as Coors Field went berserk. Meanwhile Burks' throw to third was in time, but Perez slid under Mueller's tag to put the winning run ninety feet away. Bichette was next. and he lined Nen's one-strike pitch up the middle to bring Perez home. The Rockies had scored seven runs on seven hits, a walk, and an error to pull off an incredible 12-11 comeback win.

Final totals: Rockies 12-20-1, Giants 11-15-2.

W- Brownson (1-2)
L- Nen (1-11)

HR- SF: Bonds (62). Rios (9)
COL: Walker (38), Bichette (35), Clemente (9), Blanco (7)

DW- Ortiz (19-8)
DL- Thomson (1-9)

LHR- SF: Snow (22), Aurilia (19)
COL: Echevarria (9)

Bichette was named Player of the Game because of his game-winning hit.

Bonds was one for four plus a walk with a home run and four RBIs. He's currently batting .283 (160-566) with sixty-two home runs and 155 runs batted in. He's walked 116 times.

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 89-73- 10 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
(tie) Padres: 73-89- 26 GB
(tie) Rockies: 73-89- 26 GB

Next: The Giants' season finale against the Rockies on Sunday, October 3 at Coors Field. Shawn Estes will start for the Giants, while Bohanon goes to the hill for the Rockies.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 2, 2024

It's Sunday, October 3, 1999, and the Giants are taking on the Rockies in the season finale at Coors Field. Shawn Estes will start for the Giants, while Brian Bohanon takes the ball for the Rockies. Bonds is in left field and will bat second, as his replacement F.P, Santangelo did in real life. The Rockies won the actual game, 9-8.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first with one out, he flew to Edgard Clemente in right. J.T. Snow beat out a grounder to short for an infield single to keep the inning alive, and right fielder Armando Rios walked to put two men on, and third baseman Ramon Martinez's double to left scored both runners and put the Giants in front 2-0. After second baseman Jeff Kent walked to put two men on, catcher Doug Mirabelli lined a double off the wall in left. Martinez and Kent each scored easily, and the visitors led 4-0. Shortstop Wilson Delgado grounded to third to end the inning.

In the second with one out, Marvin Benard doubled to left. Bonds followed with another double to left that scored Benard and extended the Giants' lead to 5-0. Snow's fly to right center was caught by Rockies center fielder Jeff Barry for the second out, which moved Bonds to third. Rios was next, and he smacked Bohanon's 1-1 curveball over the right field wall for a two-run homer to make it 7-0. It was Rios' tenth home run of the year.

In the fourth with two out and the Giants leading 7-2, Bonds hit reliever Bobby Jones' 1-0 curveball over the right field wall for his sixty-third home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 835. He's now thirty-three homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh, The Giants led 8-2 after three and a half.

In the seventh with the Giants leading 8-7, Benard led off with a single to right center. Bonds walked to put two men on. Snow struck out swinging for the first out, but Rios hit Jones' 0-1 fastball over the wall in straightaway center for a three-run homer, his second of the day and eleventh of the year, At the seventh inning stretch, the Giants led the Rockies 11-7.

In the ninth with the Giants leading 11-8, Bonds drew a leadoff walk against Rockies reliever Jerry DiPoto. Snow's popup was caught by Rockies first baseman Todd Helton for the first out, and Rios struck out swinging for out number two, After Bonds stole second, Bill Mueller (batting for Martinez) lined a base hit to left center that scored Bonds and gave the Giants a 12-8 lead.

Let's look at how the Rockies scored their runs:

In the bottom of the second with two out and the Giants leading 7-0, Jeff Barry walked on five pitches. Catcher (and former Giant) Kirt Manwaring singled to left to put two men on, and Larry Walker came to the plate to bat for Bohanon. He stroked Rueter's first pitch into right center for a base hit, which brought Jeff Barry home and put the Rox on the board. Manwaring moved to third on the hit and came home when Neifi Perez singled to right. Walker moved to third on the hit, but second baseman Terry Shumpert's fly to Benard in shallow center ended the inning with runners still at the corners. The Giants led 7-2 after two,

The home squad pulled much closer with a five-run fifth. With one out and the Giants in front 8-2, Perez singled to right. Shumpert lined a double into the left center power alley that moved Perez to third, and Helton brought both runners home with a base hit to left.

It was now 8-4, and left fielder Dante Bichette kept the line moving with a single up the middle. Third baseman Vinny Castilla's single to right center loaded the bases, but Estes rebounded to strike Clemente out swinging for the second out. His first pitch to Jeff Barry sailed to the backstop, which allowed Helton to dash home with the fifth Colorado run. Jeff Barry was next, and he lined a double off the wall in left center. Bichette and Castilla scored, and just like that the Frisco lead was down to 8-7.

That was all for Estes; Joe Nathan relieved and walked Manwaring on five pitches. Now came Jones' spot, and Rockies manager Jim Leyland elected to let Jones bat for himself. The move backfired, as Jones grounded to third to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth with the Giants leading 11-7, Kurt Abbott batted for reliever Curt Leskanic and walked on five pitches. A wild pitch from Nathan moved Abbott to second, and a passed ball charged to Mirabelli moved him to third. Perez was next, and his base hit to right scored Abbott to cut the Giants' lead to 11-8. Perez tried to stretch the hit into a double, but Rios threw him out at second.

The Giants took a 12-8 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but Clemente greeted reliever Rich Rodriguez with a double into the left center power alley. Jeff Barry struck out swinging for out number one, but Manwaring doubled over Benard's head in center to score Clemente and make it 12-9. Henry Blanco batted for DiPoto and walked on a 3-2 pitch, and Perez beat out a grounder to short for an infield single to load the bases.

Baker turned to closer Robbie Nen to nail down the win, but as was the case on Friday night, things only got worse. Shumpert lined the first pitch he saw into left center for a single, which brought home Manwaring and pinch runner Pedro Astacio, who was running for Blanco, and brought the Rox within 12-11. Helton was next, and his base hit to right center should have tied the game, but Perez stumbled and fell rounding third and had to scramble back to the base. Given a reprieve, Nen got Bichette to pop to new Giants third baseman Charlie Hayes in foul territory for the second out, and Castilla's grounder to third ended the game. Final score: Giants 12, Rockies 11.

Final totals: Giants 12-11-1, Rockies 11-20-1.

W- Nathan (8-3)
S- Nen (37)
L- Bohanon (11-14)

HR- SF: Bonds (63), Rios 2 (11)

DW- Veres (3-9)
DL- Embree (2-1)

LHR- COL: Bichette (34), Manwaring (2)

Rios was named Player of the Game. He hit two home runs and drove in five runs.

Here are the final standings in the National League West:

Diamondbacks: 99-63
Giants: 90-72- 9 GB
Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
Padres: 73-89- 26 GB
Rockies: 72-90- 27 GB

Bonds was two for three plus two walks with a home run and two RBIs. His final batting average for 199 is .285 (162-569) with sixty-three home runs and 157 runs batted in. He finished with 118 walks. He finished tied for second in the major league home run race with the Cubs' Sammy Sosa.

Next: We move to the 2006 season, beginning with the Braves' visit to AT&T Park on Friday, April 7. Horacio Ramirez will pitch for the Braves, while Matt Cain goes to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 3, 2024

It's Friday, April 7, 2006, and the Giants are hosting the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a four-game series at AT&T Park. Horacio Ramirez will start for the Braves, while Matt Cain gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat fourth, as his replacement Mark Sweeney did in real life. The Braves won the actual game, 14-6.

As we resume, Bonds is hitting .267 (101-378) with twenty-seven home runs and eighty-two runs batted in. He's walked 122 times, which is two behind Bobby Abreu for the major league lead.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, right fielder Randy Winn led off with a single up the middle, then stole second. Shortstop Omar Vizquel followed with a base hit to left center that scored Winn and gave the Giants a 1-0 lead. Center fielder Steve Finley made it three hits in a row when he slapped a single just beyond Ramirez's glove; Vizquel moved to third. Bonds bounced into a force play, which allowed Vizquel to score and extend the Frisco lead to 2-0.

Shortstop Ray Durham's base hit to right put runners at the corners. but Ramirez retired first baseman Lance Niekro on a popup to Edgar Renteria at short, and third baseman Pedro Feliz's fly to center was caught by Andruw Jones at the wall to end the inning.

In the fourth with the Giants leading 2-1, catcher Mike Matheny led off with a single to left. Cain's fly to center chased Andruw back to the wall before he could make the catch for out number one. Winn's fly ball to left dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double, which moved Matheny to third. Vizquel was next, and he lined a double into the left center power alley. Matheny and Winn scored, and the Giants led 4-1. Finley's grounder to second moved Vizquel to third, and Bonds walked to put two men on, but Ramirez retired Durham on a comebacker to end the inning.

In the fifth, Niekro greeted Braves reliever Jorge Sosa with a base hit to right center. Feliz was next, and he hit Sosa's first-pitch fastball over the wall in right center for a two-run homer that extended the Giants' lead to 6-1. It was his twenty-third home run of the year.

Sosa got the next two outs, as Matheny popped to Marcus Giles at second and Cain was called out on strikes. Winn kept the inning alive by beating out a bouncer to third for an infield single, and Vizquel cracked a double off the right field wall to bring Winn home and make it 7-1. Kyle Davies, who started this game in real life, came out of the Atlanta pen to face Bonds and retired him on a bouncer to short to end the inning.

In the eighth, Bonds grounded to first.

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

In the top of the second with one out and the Giants leading 2-0, Andruw blasted Cain's 1-2 fastball into the third row of seats in left center for his forty-second home run of the year to cut the Giants' lead to 2-1. The ball traveled an estimated 393 feet; left center field is 364 feet away from home plate at AT&T Park,

In the bottom of the sixth with one out and the Giants leading 7-1, Niekro lined a base hit to left center. Feliz struck out swinging for the second out, but Matheny lined the first pitch he saw off the wall in left center for a double. Niekro scored, and we had our final: Giants 8, Braves 1.

Final totals: Giants 8-16-0, Braves 1-5-0.

W- Cain (15-10)
L- Ramirez (5-6)

HR- ATL: A. Jones (42)
SF: Feliz (23)

DW- Remlinger (1-4)
DL- Walker

LHR- ATL: Renteria (13), Langerhans (6)
SF: Alou (20)

Vizquel was named Player of the Game. He paced the Giants' offense by going four for five with two doubles, a run scored, and four RBIs. Honorable mention goes to Cain, who held the Braves to one run on five hits in seven innings while walking three and striking out ten. He threw 103 pitches.

Bonds was hitless in four at-bats plus a walk with an RBI. He's currently batting .264 (101-382) with twenty-seven home runs and eighty-three runs batted in. He's walked 123 times, which is one behind Bobby Abreu for the major league lead. His five-game simulated home run streak has ended.

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

(tie) Padres: 88-74
(tie) Dodgers: 88-74
Giants: 78-83- 9.5 GB
(tie) Rockies: 76-86- 12 GB
(tie) Diamondbacks: 76-86- 12 GB

In the East:

Mets: 97-65
Phillies: 85-77- 12 GB
Braves: 78-84- 19 GB
Marlins: 77-85- 20 GB
Nationals: 71-91- 26 GB

Next: The Giants host the Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 29. Claudio Vargas will start for the Diamondbacks, while Noah Lowry heads to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 4, 2024

It's Saturday, April 29, 2006, and the Giants are hosting the Diamondbacks in the second game of a three-game series at AT&T Park. Claudio Vargas will pitch for the Diamondbacks. while Noah Lowry gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat third, as his replacement Randy Winn did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 3-2.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first, he walked. Right fielder Moises Alou's line drive was gloved by Diamondbacks third baseman Chad Tracy to end the inning.

In the fourth, he grounded to first.

In the sixth, he struck out swinging.

There were few baserunners in this game, as both starters were sharp. The D-Backs' threatened in several innings, but their only run came in the first, when second baseman Orlando Hudson swatted Lowry's 2-0 hanging curveball over the left field wall for his sixteenth home run of the year to give the Snakes a 1-0 lead.

The Snakes got only two other runners as far as third. In the fourth, left fielder Luis Gonzalez reached on a throwing error by Giants second baseman Kevin Frandsen, moved to second when first baseman Conor Jackson was hit by a pitch, and went to third when Jackson was forced by right fielder Shawn Green. But center fielder Eric Byrnes struck out swinging, and catcher Chris Snyder's fly ball was caught by Giants center fielder Steve Finley in deep left center to end the inning.

In the seventh, shortstop Craig Counsell drew a two-out walk and moved to third on a single by Hudson, but Tracy's grounder to Frandsen at second retired the side. Lowry was brilliant in his eight innings of work, holding the Snakes to one run on four hits while walking three and striking out five. He threw 105 pitches.

The Giants couldn't do much with Vargas, either. Their only hit came on a two-out triple by Finley in the fourth, and catcher Tyler Greene grounded the first pitch he saw to Hudson, which ended the inning, Shortstop Omar Vizquel walked with two out in the third, and Finley reached again in the seventh when Hudson muffed his slow chopper. Neither advanced beyond first base.

The Giants finally broke through with one out in the bottom of the eighth, as Ray Durham batted for Lowry and belted Vargas's 0-1 curveball down the right field line and into the first row of seats for a home run that tied the game at one. It was his twenty-seventh home run of the year. Vargas got the next two outs to end the inning and ended up with one run allowed over two hits in eight innings while walking two and striking out six. He threw 101 pitches.

Giants closer Armando Benitez gave up a one-out single to pinch hitter Stephen Drew (batting for Vargas) in the top of the ninth. Counsell's grounder to first moved Drew to second, and Hudson's bouncer to second ended the inning.

Now we come to the bottom of the ninth. Bonds leads off against Snakes closer Jose "Papa Grande" Valverde. Here's Jon Miller of the Giants Radio Network with the count two balls and a strike:

"Alou on deck for the Giants, score tied at one, bottom of the ninth just started. Not much hitting, but a very exciting pitcher's duel between Claudio Vargas and Noa Lowry that's now in the hands of the respective closers. Armando Benitez got out of trouble in the top of the ninth, and now Jose Valverde behind Bonds two balls and a strike. Bonds with 835 career home runs, but he'd be happy just to get on base here and set things up for Moises. Valverde ready, and the 2-1 pitch.......HIT DOWN THE RIGHT FIELD LINE! GREEN GOIING OVER, HE'S AT THE WALL, AND THIS BALL IS GONE! .....,.....That's a win for the Giants and home run Number 836 for Barry Bonds, as the number up in the left field bleachers has just flipped over. It's also his twenty-eighth home run of the year.

In a game dominated by starting pitching, all three runs come on solo home runs: Orlando Hudson for the Diamondbacks in the first, Ray Durham of the Giants in the eighth, and now Barry Bonds of the Giants in the ninth. Our final score from a delirious AT&T Park: the Giants 2, the Diamondbacks 1. Back with our postgame show after this on the Giants Radio Network."

Final totals: Giants 2-3-2, Diamondbacks 1-5-1.

L-Valverde (2-4)

HR- ARZ: Hudson (16)
SF: Bonds (28). Durham (27)

DL- Vizcaino (4-5)

LHR- SF: Alou (19)

Bonds was named Player of the Game. He finished one for three plus a walk and his walkoff homer. He's currently batting .265 (102-385) with twenty-eight home runs and eighty-four runs batted in. He's walked 124 times, which ties him with Bobby Abreu for the major league lead.

Next: The Giants travel to Miller Park in Milwaukee to battle the Brewers on Thursday, May 4. Lowry will again pitch for the Giants, while Chris Capuano heads to the mound for the Brewers.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 5, 2024

It's Thursday, May 4, 2006, and the Giants are facing the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of a two-game series at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Matt Morris will start for the Giants, while Doug Davis gets the ball for the Brewers. Bonds is in left field and will lead off, as his replacement Randy Winn did in real life. The Brewers won the actual game, 7-4.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats :

In the first, Bonds led off by hitting a 1-1 curveball from Davjs over the center field wall for his twenty-ninth home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 837. He's homered in seven of his last eight simulated games, and he's now thirty-one home runs behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh, The Giants had a 1-0 lead.

Center fielder Steve Finley grounded to second for the first out of the mining, but catcher Todd Greene doubled to center. Right fielder Moises Alou followed with a lined single to right center, which brought Greene home to make it 2-0 Giants.

In the second, Bonds was called out on strikes.

In the fifth with one out and the score tied at two, he walked. Finley beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single to put two men on, but he was forced by Greene for the second out. Bonds went to third on the out and scored on Alou's single up the middle to give the Giants a 3-2 lead. Greene went to third on the hit, but he was stranded when third baseman Pedro Feliz's fly to the warning track in left was caught by the Brewers' Carlos Lee to end the inning.

In the seventh, Bonds grounded to first.

In the eighth with two out and the Brewers leading 6-3, shortstop Jose Vizcaino lined a double down the right field line. Ray Durham batted for reliever Kevin Correia and smacked another double off the right field wall to score Vizcaino and cut the Milwaukee lead to 6-4. Bonds walked to keep the inning alive, but Finley's grounder to short retired the side. There was no further scoring.

Here's how the Brewers scored their runs:

In the bottom of the first with the Giants leading 2-0, second baseman Rickie Weeks led off with a double to center. Shortstop Bill Hall took a Morris fastball off of his forearm to put two men on, and right fielder Geoff Jenkins grounded a base hit to left center that scored Weeks and put the Brew Crew on the board.

Hall went to third on the hit, but Morris got the next two outs, as left fielder Carlos Lee struck out swinging and first baseman Prince Fielder's popup was caught by Kevin Frandsen at second for the second out. It was up to third baseman Corey Koskie to extend the inning, and he stroked a base hit to right center that scored Hall and tied the game at two. Jenkins went to third on the hit, but catcher Damian Miller's grounder to short retired the side.

In the bottom of the fifth with one out and the Giants leading 3-2, Hall doubled off the wall in center. Jenkins was next, and he lined a single to right center that scored Hall to tie the game at three. Lee grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.

In the bottom of the seventh, Gabe Gross batted for Davis and drew a leadoff walk. He was forced by Weeks for out number one, but Hall ended Morris's day by hitting his 1-2 fastball over the left field wall for a two-run homer, his thirty-sixth of the year, to give the Brewers a 5-3 lead.

Correia came in at that point, and Jenkins smacked his first pitch up the middle for a base hit. Lee followed with a bloop that dropped on the left field line and rolled toward the corner. Jenkins scored to extend the Crew's lead to 6-3 while Lee pulled in at second with a double. He was stranded at second, as Fielder bounced to short for the second out and Koskie's liner was gloved by Feliz to end the inning.

Final totals: Brewers 6-10-0, Giants 4-12-0.

L- Morris (10-16)

HR- SF: Bonds (29)
MIL: Hall (36)

DL- Hennessey (5-5)

LHR- SF: Matheny (2)
MIL: Lee (36), Jenkins (16)

Hall was named Player of the Game. He was three for three plus a hit batsman with a two-run homer and three runs scored.

Bonds was one for three plus two walks with a home run and two runs scored. He's currently batting .265 (103-388) with twenty-nine home runs and eighty-five runs batted in. He's taken over the major league lead with 126 walks.

Next: The Giants visit Minute Maid Park to battle the Astros on Wednesday, May 17. Matt Morris will start for the Giants, while Andy Pettitte gets the ball for the Astros.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 5, 2024

Before we go any further, a few words about the 1999 postseason in the National League. I already ran and documented the sims in my Pythagorean thread, so here's a brief recap:

NLDS- Braves vs, Reds

Game 1 (October 5 at Atlanta): Braves 6, Reds 2 (Braves lead series 1-0)

Greg Maddux scatters eleven hits in seven innings but holds the Reds to just one run.

Game 2 (October 6 at Atlanta): Reds 6, Braves 3 (series tied 1-1)

Cincinnati's Denny Neagle turns the tables on the Braves with eight strong innings, while right fielder Jeffrey Hammonds goes three for four with a home run.

Game 3 (October 8 at Cincinnati): Braves 11, Reds 4 (Braves lead series 2-1)

Brian Jordan, Brian Hunter, and starting pitcher Tommy Glavine all go deep for the Braves.

Game 4 (October 9 at Cincinnati): Braves 14, Reds 0 (Braves win series 3-1)

Catcher Eddie Perez's grand slam in the fifth is the key blow.

NLDS- Astros vs. Diamondbacks

Game 1 (October 5 at Phoenix): Diamondbacks 3, Astros 0 (D-Backs lead series 1-0)

Center fielder Steve Finley hits two home runs, while Randy Johnson tosses a six-hit shutout.

Game 2 (October 6 at Phoenix): Diamondbacks 5, Astros 3 (D-Backs lead series 2-0)

Right fielder Bernard Gilkey's fourth-inning solo homer breaks a 3-3 tie.

Game 3 (October 8 at Houston): Astros 10, Diamondbacks 3 (D-Backs lead series 2-1)

Catcher Tony Eusebio leads the Astros' offense, going three for four and driving in four runs.

Game 4 (October 9 at Houston): Astros 2, Diamondbacks 1 (10 innings; series tied 2-2)

The Stros even the series thanks to center fielder Carl Everett's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the tenth.

Game 5 (October 11 at Phoenix): Astros 4, Diamondbacks 1 (Astros win series 3-2)

Everett goes four for five, while both pitchers (Jose Lima for the Astros, Johnson for the Snakes) throw complete games. Lima holds the D-Backs to one run on five hits, while Johnson strikes out thirteen in a losing cause and throws 166 pitches despite back problems because of the Snakes' lack of healthy relievers.

The Braves then built three games to one lead over the Astros in the NLCS. (Note: I used the results of their real-life NLDS.)

Game 5 (October 17 at Houston): Braves 7, Astros 5 (Braves win series 4-1)

Chipper Jones goes three for four with a home run and scores four times to help the Braves win the National League pennant.

The Yankees swept the Braves in four straight games to win the World Series, jus as they did in real life.

More baseball coming soon!

Garrett Garlits · Apr 6, 2024

It's Wednesday, May 17, 2006, and the Giants are taking on the Astros in the third and final game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park, Matt Morris will start for the Giants, while Andy Pettitte goes to the hill for the Astros. Bonds is in left field and will bat fifth, as his replacement Mark Sweeney did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 10-1.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first, right fielder Randy Winn drew a leadoff walk. Omar Vizquel followed with a double off the wall in right to score Winn and give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Second baseman Ray Durham was next, and his base hit to left brought Vizquel home to make it 2-0. Steve Finley walked to put two men on.

Bonds was next, and he hit Pettitte's first-pitch curveball over the wall in right center for a three-run homer to extend the Giants' lead to 5-0. It was his thirtieth home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 838. He's homered in eight of his last nine simulated games, and he's thirty homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh.

In the third with two out and the Giants leading 5-1, Bonds walked. Third baseman Pedro Feliz belted a double into the left center power alley to bring Barry home and extend the Frisco lead to 6-1. Catcher Mike Matheny stroked a base hit to left center that scored the seventh Frisco run, but first baseman Jose Vizcaino was retired on a comebacker to Astros reliever Tayloe Buchholz.

In the fifth, Bonds led off with a single to right. Feliz flew to Preston Wilson in shallow left for the first out, and Matheny grounded into a 5-4-3 inning-ending double play.

In the seventh with the Giants leading 9-1, Finley led off by beating out a grounder to third for an infield single. Bonds walked to put two men on, and Feliz stroked a base hit up the middle that scored Flnley to put the Giants in double digits.

In the ninth, Bonds' fly to deep right center was caught by center fielder Adam Everett.

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

In the bottom of the second with the Astros leading 5-0, Wilson lined a leadoff double off the wall in left. Catcher Brad Ausmus's foul pop was caught by Feliz for the first out, but right fielder Orlando Palmeiro's lined single to right center put runners at the corners. Everett's liner was gloved by Durham for the second out/

Knowing that his team needed runs in a hurry, Astros manager Phil Garner used his biggest bat off the bench, Lance Berkman, to bat for Pettitte. Berkman delivered with a lined single to right center that brought Wilson home and put the Stros on the board. Palmeiro moved to third on the hit, but both runners were stranded when second baseman Craig Biggio flew to Winn in right to retire the side.

In the top of the sixth with the Giants leading 7-1, Vizcaino beat out a grounder to short for a leadoff infield single. After Morris struck out swinging for out number one, Winn lined a 1-1 slider from Buchholz into the seats in right field for a two-run homer to extend the Frisco lead to 9-1. It was Winn's twelfth home run of the year.

In the top of the eighth with the Giants leading 10-1, Moises Alou (batting for Morris) hit a 1-1 fastball from Astros reliever Jason Hirsh (who was making his major league debut) over the wall in center to increase the visitors' lead to 11-1. It was Alou's twenty-first home run of the year.

In the bottom of the ninth, Luke Scott batted for Hirsh and stroked a leadoff single to right. He went to third on second baseman Craig Biggio's double to center. After center fielder Willy Taveras took a called third strike, first baseman Mike Lamb hit a slow roller to Sweeney. who had replaced Vizcaino at first. Scott came home from third, and the Astros had their second run. Third baseman Morgan Ensberg walked to keep the game alive, but Giants reliever Jonathan Sanchez, who like Hirsh was making his major league debut, struck Wilson out swinging to end the game. Our final: Giants 11, Astros 2.

Final totals: Giants 11-14-0, Astros 2-10-1.

L- Pettitte (14-14)

HR- SF: Bonds (30). Alou (20), Winn (12)

DL- Nieve (3-2)

LHR- SF: Durham (26), Feliz (22)

Bonds was named Player of the Game. He finished two for three plus two walks with a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. He's currently batting .269 (105-391) with thirty home runs and eighty-eight runs batted in. He's walked 128 times.

Next: The Giants host the Cardinals on Wednesday, May 24 at AT&T Park. Chris Carpenter will start for the Cardinals, while Noah Lowry goes to the hill for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 7, 2024

It's Wednesday May 24. 2006, and the Giants are hosting the Cardinals in the third and final game of a three-game series at AT&T Park. Chris Carpenter will start for the Cardinals, while Noah Lowry gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is leading off; he'll begin the game in left field, then move to center field in the eighth inning. The Cardinals won the actual game, 10-4.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first with the Cardinals leading 1-0, he hit Carpenter's 2-1 fastball over the left center field wall for his thirty-first home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 839. He's now twenty-nine homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh, and he's homered in nine of his last ten simulated games. The game was tied at one after one.

In the third, Bonds grounded to first.

In the fifth, first baseman Mark Sweeney drew a leadoff walk. Second baseman Ray Durham singled to right to put two men on, and catcher Todd Greene singled up the middle to load the bases. But Carpenter got himself out of trouble by striking out the side; right fielder Tommy Linden, Lowry, and Bonds all went down swinging,

In the eighth with two out, Bonds walked. Shortstop Omar Vizquel grounded to short to end the inning.

Now let's see how the Cardinals scored their runs:

In the top of the first, shortstop David Eckstein led off with a lined single to left center. Left fielder Scott Spiezio's bloop single to center put two men on, and first baseman Albert Pujols slapped a base hit past Lowry's outstretched glove and up the middle to score Eckstein and give the Redbirds a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the third with one out and the score tied at one, Spiezio and Pujols drew back-to-back walks. Third baseman Scott Rolen forced Pujols. which allowed Spiezio to move to third. Right fielder Juan Encarnacion followed with a single to right center that scored Spiezio to give the Cards a 2-1 lead and moved Rolen to third. Second baseman Hector Luna's line drive was gloved by his counterpart Durham to retire the side.

In the top of the fourth with one out, center fielder So Taguchi lined a double into the left center power alley. He held at second while Carpenter grounded to third, but Eckstein lined a base hit to left center that brought Taguchi home to make it 3-1 St. Louis.

In the top of the eighth with two out, Taguchi beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single. Carpenter batted for himself and lined a double off the left field wall to score Toguchi and extend the Cards' lead to 4-1. Eckstein followed with a bloop that dropped in shallow center for a single. Carpenter scored, and it was 5-1 Cardinals.

In the top of the ninth, Pujols drew a leadoff walk. Rolen flew to Bonds in center for the first out, but Encarnacion walloped a first-pitch slider from Giants reliever Jeremy Accardo into the second row of seats in right center for a two-run homer, his twentieth of the year. The ball traveled an estimated 446 feet; right center field is 420 feet away from home plate at AT&T Park. Our final: Cardinals 7, Giants 1.

Final totals: Cardinals 7-14-0, Giants 1-5-0,

W- Carpenter (16-8)
L- Lowry (7-11)

HR- STL: Encarnacion (20)
SF: Bonds (31)

DW- Wainwright (1-1)

LHR- STL: Taguchi (1). Wainwright

Eckstein was named Player of the Game. He finished four for five with a run scored and two RBIs. Carpenter also deserves special mention; he pitched eight innings, limiting the Giants to one run on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. He threw ninety-eight pitches.

Bonds finished one for three plus a walk with a home run. He's currently batting .269 (106-394) with thirty-one home runs and eighty-nine runs batted in. He's walked 129 times.

Next: We put a temporary bookmark in the 2006 season and look at Bonds' final game of 1994, which takes place on Saturday, April 23 against the Mets at Candlestick Park. Pete Smith will start for the Mets, while Bill Swift goes to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 8, 2024

It's Saturday, April 23, 1994, and the Giants are hosting the New York Mets in the second game of a three-game series at Candlestick Park. Pete Smith will pitch for the Mets, while Bill Swift gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat fifth, as his replacement Mark Carreon did in real life, The Giants won the actual game, 10-1. As we resume, Bonds is batting .318 (137-399) with thirty-seven home runs and eighty-one runs batted in.

Let's examine Bonds' at-bats first:

In the first, center fielder Darren Lewis slapped a base hit past the mound and up the middle, but he was thrown out trying to steal second. Second baseman Robby Thompson walked, and right fielder Willie McGee's base hit to center moved him to third. Third baseman Matt Williams hit what should have been a routine double play ball to short, but the Mets' Tim Bogar misplayed the hop and was charged with an error, which allowed Thompson to score and give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Bonds' fly to deep right was caught at the wall was caught by his former Pirates teammate John Cangelosi for the second out with McGee moving to third, and shortstop Royce Clayton's liner was caught by Mets second baseman Jeff Kent to end the inning.

In the second, first baseman Steve Scarsone lined a leadoff double off the right field wall. Catcher Kirt Manwaring flew to shallow left for the first out, but Swift's lined single to left put runners at the corners. Lewis stroked a single to left that scored Scarsone to make it 2-0 Giants, but Lewis was forced by Thompson for out number two. Swift moved to third on the out and scored on McGee's base hit to left to make it 3-0.

Willliams was next, and he whacked a triple off the top of the right field wall. Thompson and McGee scored, and the home squad led 5-0.That was all for Swift; Dwight Gooden came out of the Mets' bullpen to face Bonds and retired him on a fly ball to Ryan Thompson in right center to end the inning.

In the fifth, Williams drew a leadoff walk.

Bonds was next, and he hit Gooden's 3-1 fastball over the left center field wall for a two-run homer that extended the Giants' lead to 7-0. It was Bonds' thirty-eighth home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 840. He's now twenty-eight home runs behind all-tine leader Sadaharu Oh.

In the seventh with one out and the Giants leading 7-3, Williams hit Gooden's first-pitch fastball down the right field line and over the wall for his forty-fourth home run of the year to give the Giants an 8-3 lead.

With Bonds due up next, Mets manager Dallas Green excused Gooden in favor of reliever Mauro Gozzo. Barry laid waste to that strategy by swatting Gozzo's 2-1 slider over the right center field wall for his second home run of the day and thirty-ninth home run of the year. It was also undisputed career homer Number 841. He's now twenty-seven homers behind Oh, and he's hit eleven home runs in his last ten simulated games. The Giants led 9-3 after seven, and there was no further scoring.

The Mets scored all three of their runs in the top of the fifth. With one out, Bogar walked. He was bunted over to second by Gooden and scored on Cangelosi's lined single to right center. First baseman David Segui's double to left cashed Cangy in to make it 5-2, and left fielder Kevin McReynolds followed with a bloop that fell in center field for a base hit. Segui scored, and the Giants' lead was cut to 5-3. Bud Black replaced Swift on the mound and gave up a single to third baseman Bobby Bonilla that moved McReynolds to third, but second baseman Jeff Kent's grounder to Clayton at short ended the inning.WWW

Final totals: Giants 9-11-1, Mets 3-8-1.

W- Black (5-2)
L- P. Smith (4-11)

HR- SF: Williams (43), Bonds 2 (39)

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

DW- Hickerson (3-8)
DL- Hillman (0-2)

LHR- SF: Lewis (5), Clayton (2), Benjamin.

Bonds was named Player of the Game. He was two for four with a home run, two runs scored, and three RBIs. His final batting average for 1994 was .320 (129-403) with thirty-nine home runs and eighty-four runs batted in. He finished tied for second in the National League home run race with the Astros' Jeff Bagwell.

Next: We flash ahead to Bonds' final three games of 2001. The first one comes on Thursday, May 10, as the Giants host the Expos at Pac Bell Park, Troy Mattes will start for the Expos, while Kirk Rueter heads to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 9, 2024

It's Thursday, May 10, 2001, and the Giants are hosting the Montreal Expos in the final game of a four-game series at Pac Bell Park. Troy Mattes will pitch for the Expos, while Kirk Rueter gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat second. as his replacement Shawon Dunston did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 13-0. As we resume, Bonds is batting .329 (164-498) with seventy-five home runs and 143 runs batted in.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first with one out, Bonds walked. J.T. Snow was next, and he hit Mattes' 1-0 fastball into the third row of seats in right center field for a two-run homer, his tenth of the year. The ball traveled a estimated 449 feet; right center field is 420 feet from home plate at Pac Bell Park. The Giants led 2-0 after one.

In the third, Bonds led off with a double down the right field line. Snow's liner was caught by Expos shortstop Orlando Cabrera for out number one, but Jeff Kent beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to put runners at the corners. Cabrera made a spectacular leaping grab of Armando Rios' line drive for the second out, and catcher Benito Santiago's liner was gloved by Expos third baseman Fernando Tatis to retire the side.

In the fifth, Bonds drew a leadoff walk. Snow flew to right for out number one, but Bonds stole second. He had to hold at second while Kent grounded to third, but Rios and Santiago walked load the bases. Next was third baseman Russ Davis, who hit a fly ball to deep right. The fans at Pac Bell rose in anticipation of a grand slam, but the ball hung up just enough for Expos right fielder Vladimir Guerrero to make the catch at the wall and end the inning with the bases still loaded.

In the sixth with the Expos leading 4-2. shortstop Ramon Martinez led off with a single to right center. Reliever Felix Rodriguez tried to bunt Martinez over to second, but his weak attempt was picked up by catcher Michael Barrett, who chose to throw to second for the force on Martinez. Marvin Benard walked on a 3-2 pitch to put two men on,

Bonds was next, and he hit a 1-0 hanging curve from reliever Scott Strickland over the right field wall and into McCovey Cove on the fly for a three-run homer that put the Giants in front 5-4. It was Bonds' seventy-sixth home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 842. He's now twenty-six behind all-rime leader Sadaharu Oh, and he's hit twelve home runs in his last eleven simulated games.

In the seventh, Santiago drew a leadoff walk, but was forced by Davis. Martinez was called out on strikes for the second out, but pinch hitter Rich Aurilia (batting for Rodriguez) kept the inning going with a bloop single to left. Benard was next, and he hit reliever Guillermo Mota's first-pitch curveball over the wall in left for a three-run homer to extend the Frisco lead to 8-4. It was Benard's seventeenth home run of the year. Bonds struck out swinging to end the inning. Our final: Giants 8, Expos 4.

Now let's see how the Expos scored their runs:

In the top of the second with the Giants leading 2-0, Guerrero lashed a leadoff triple into the right field corner. Second baseman Jose Vidro followed with a lined single to left center that brought Vlad home to cut the Giants' lead to 2-1.

In the top of the fourth, Guerrero beat out a grounder to short for a leadoff infield single. Vidro's lined single to left put runners at the corners, and Guerrero scored when Tatis grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. We were tied at two after three and a half.

In the top of the sixth, center fielder Milton Bradley led off with a single to right center, then stole second. First baseman Lee Stevens walked to put two men on, but he was forced by Guerrero for out number one. Vidro was next, and he doubled into the left center power alley. Bradley and Guerrero scored, and the Expos took a 4-2 lead.

That was all for Rueter; Rodriguez relieved and got the second out immediately when Tatis hit his first pitch right back to him. Left fielder Geoff Blum walked to put two men on, but Barrett flew to Benard in left center to end the inning.

Final totals: Giants 8-10-0, Expos 4-8-0,

W- F. Rodriguez (11-1)
L- Strickland (2-7)

HR- SF: Bonds (76), Benard (17), Snow (10)

DW- Rueter (12-12)
DL- Reames (4-7)

Bonds was named Player of the Game. He finished two for three plus two walks with two runs scored and three runs batted in. He's currently batting .331 (166-501) with seventy-six home runs and 146 runs batted in.

He's in a three-way tie for third in the National League batting race with Moises Alou and Lance Berkman of the Astros. With two games to play, he's seven points behind Todd Helton of the Rockies for second.

He's tied with Helton for second place in the National League RBI race.

He's walked 185 times, which leads the majors by fifty-six over the Athletics' Jason Giambi.

He's scored 138 runs, which is eight behind Sammy Sosa of the Cubs for both the National League and major league leads.

His current on-base percentage is .517, which leads the majors by forty points over Giambi.

His current slugging percentage is ,862, which leads the majors by 125 points over Sosa.

His current OPS is 1.379. which leads the majors by 205 points over Sosa,

He currently has fifty-four singles, thirty-four doubles, and two triples. None of the above qualify for the National League top ten.

Next: The Giants host the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, June 30. Matt Morris will start for the Cardinals, while Russ Ortiz heads to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 10, 2024

It's Saturday, June 30, 2001, and the Giants are hosting the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a three-game series at Pac Bell Park, Matt Morris will pitch for the Cardinals, while Russ Ortiz gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat sixth, as his replacement Marvin Benard did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 5-2.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the second with the Cardinals leading 2-0, first baseman Edwards Guzman led off with a bloop single to right. A passed ball charged to Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny moved Guzman to second, Catcher Benito Santiago hit a two-hopper to third; Cardinals third baseman Albert Pujols made the stop but dropped the ball while trying to ger it out of his glove. Santiago was safe on the error, while Guzman moved to third.

Bonds was next, and he hit Morris' s 1-1 curveball over the right field wall for a three-run homer that gave the Giants a 3-0 lead. It was his seventy-seventh home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 843. He's now twenty-five homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh. and he's hit thirteen home runs in his last twelve simulated games. The Giants led 3-2 after two.

In the third with the Cardinals leading 4-3, Rich Aurilia lined a leadoff single to left center. Right fielder Armando Rios struck out swinging for out number one, but second baseman Jeff Kent's lined single to left center put two men on. but Guzman flew to Jim Edmonds in left center field for the second out. Santiago stroked a base hit to center that scored Aurilia scored to tie the game at four. Kent moved to third on the hit, but Bonds took a called third strike to end the inning.

In the sixth with one out, Bonds singled to right center. Martinez flew to left center for the second out, and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning.

In the seventh with the Cardinals leading 5-4, center fielder Calvin Murray led off with a routine grounder to third. Pujols fielded the ball cleanly and threw on the run; first baseman Mark McGwire made a lunging catch, but his foot came off the bag for an instant, and Murray was called safe by first base umpire Jim McKean. Reliever Gene Stechschulte struck Aurilia out swinging for out number one, but Rios lined a double off the center field wall that brought Calvin home and tied the game at five.

Kent flew to Kerry Robinson in right for the second out, but Stechschulte walked J.T. Snow (batting for Guzman) and Santiago to load the bases. Bonds was next, and Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa went to his bullpen for Steve Kline, who promptly walked Barry on four pitches to force Rios home and put the Giants in front 6-5. Martinez was next, and his fly to deep left chased the Cards' Ray Lankford back to the wall before he made an inning-ending catch that left the bases loaded. There was no further scoring.

Here's how the Cardinals scored their runs:

In the top of the first, shortstop Fernando Vina led off with a base hit to right center but was thrown out trying to steal second. Shortstop Placido Polanco walked on five pitches, and center fielder Jim Edmonds lined a double into the left center power alley to score Polanco and give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Lankford belted a leadoff triple into the right field corner. Catcher Mike Matheny's fly to right center was too shallow to score him, but Robinson beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single that allowed Ray to come home, and the Cards led 2-0. Morris bunted Robinson over to second, but Vina's fly to Bonds in left retired the side.

In the top of the fifth with the Giants leading 3-2, Polanco led off with a grounder that eluded Ortiz's glove and made its way into center field for a single. Edmonds walked to put two men on, but McGwire was called out on strikes for out number one. Pujols' fly to right center fell in between three defenders for a double, which brought both runners home and gave the Redbirds a 4-3 lead. Pujols moved to third on Lankford's grounder to second, but Matheny's fly to Murray at the warning track in left center retired the side.

In the top of the seventh with the score tied at four, Polanco beat out a slow roller to first for a leadoff infield single. Edmonds' popup was caught by Kent for the first out, and McGwire's weak fly to center was caught by Murray for the second out. Pujols singled up the middle to put runners at the corners, and Lankford lined a double over Bonds' head in left to drive in Polanco and give the Redbirds a 5-4 lead. Pujols moved to third on the hit, and Ortiz departed in favor of Felix Rodriguez, who struck Matheny out swinging to end the inning.

Final totals: Giants 6-9-0, Cardinals 5-12-3.

L- Stechschulte (1-6)

HR- SF: Bonds (77)

DL- Timlin (4-4)

Bonds was named Player of the Game. He finished two for three with a home run and four RBIs. He's currently batting .333 (168-504) with seventy-seven home runs and 150 runs batted in.

He's currently third in the National League batting race, five points behind the Rockies' Todd Helton for second.

He's second in the National League RBI race, ten behind the Cubs' Sammy Sosa,

He's walked 186 times, which leads the majors by fifty-eight over the Athletics' Jason Giambi.

He's scored 139 runs, which is seven behind Sosa for both the National League and major league lead.

His on-base percentage has risen to .518, which leads the majors by forty-one points over Giambi.

He has fifty-five singles.

His slugging percentage has risen to .867, which leads the majors by 130 points over Sosa.

His OPS is 1.385, which leads the majors by 211 points over Sosa.

Next: Bonds' final game of 2001 against the Pirates on Thursday, August 2 at Pac Bell Park. Todd Ritchie will pitch for the Pirates. while Kirk Rueter heads to the mound for the Giants.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 11, 2024

It's Thursday. August 2, 2001, and the Giants are hosting the Pirates in the final game of a three-game series at Pac Bell Park. Bronson Arroyo will start for the Pirates, while Kirk Rueter gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat third, as his replacement John Vander Wal did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 3-0.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first with two out, he walked. Jeff Kent's fly to center ended the inning.

In the third with the Giants leading 1-0, right fielder Marvin Benard led off with a base hit to right center. Center fielder Calvin Murray lined a single to left that put runners at the corners, and Bonds followed with a bloop single to left that cashed in Benard to make it 2-0. Murray went to third on the hit and came home with the third Frisco run when Jeff Kent grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. First baseman Andres Galarraga's line drive was gloved by Pirates second baseman Pat Meares to end the inning.

In the fifth with the Giants leading 3-2, Bonds' line drive was caught by Pirates first baseman Kevin Young for the first out. Kent followed with a single to center, and Galarraga lined a double into the right center power alley to bring Kent home and give the Giants a 4-2 lead. Rich Aurilia's shallow fly to left center was caught by Pirates center fielder Brian Giles for the second out, but third baseman Ramon Martinez walked to put two men on. Catcher Edwards Guzman's foul pop was caught by third baseman Aramis Ramirez to retire the side.

In the seventh, Bonds flew to center.

In the eighth with one out, Martinez lined a base hit to right, Guzman's bloop single to right put two men on, and John Vander Wal, who had just been acquired from the Pirates, batted for reliever Felix Rodriguez and lined a single to right that loaded the bases. Benard's base hit to right scored Martinez to extend the Giants' lead to 5-2, and Josias Manzanillo came out of the Pittsburgh bullpen to face Murray. Calvin whacked the first pitch he saw over Giles' head in center for a bases-clearing double that gave the Boys from the Bay an 8-2 lead There was no further scoring.

Murray was stranded at second, as Bonds and Kent each grounded to Aramis Ramirez at third to retire the side.

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

In the bottom of the second with one out, Aurilia belted a line drive over the head of Pirates left fielder Jason Kendall. By the time Kendall found the ball at the base of the wall and threw it back into the infield, Aurilia was almost at third base, where he ultimately stopped with a triple. Martinez followed with a single to left center that brought Rich home and gave the Giants a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the third with the Giants leading 2-0, Young beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single. Catcher Keith Osik lined a base hit to left center that moved Young to third. Right fielder Adam Hyzdu was next, and he bounced into a force play that eliminated Osik but allowed Young to score. The Pirates trailed 3-1 after two and a half.

In the top of the fifth, Craig Wilson (batting for Arroyo) led off by beating out a grounder to short for an infield single. He was forced by shortstop Jack Wilson (no relation), but Kendall lined a double off the wall in left that moved Jack to third. Jack came home on Giles' fly to Benard in right to cut the Giants' lead to 3-2. After Ramirez was intentionally walked, Young struck out swinging to end the inning.

Final totals: Giants 8-15-0, Pirates 2-8-0,

L- Arroyo (5-8)

DS- Nen (42)
DL- McKnight (2-5)

LHR- SF: Benard (16)

Murray was named Player of the Game. He was two for five, including his bases-clearing double in the eighth. He also scored a run.

Bonds was one for four plus a walk with an RBI. He finished the year batting .333 (169-508) with seventy-seven home runs and 151 runs batted in.

He finished third in the National League batting race, five points behind the Rockies' Todd Helton for second.

He finished second in the National League RBI race, nine behind the Cubs' Sammy Sosa.

He walked 187 times, which was fifty-nine more than the Athletics' Jason Giambi.

His final on-base percentage was .517, which led the majors by forty points over Giambi.

His final slugging percentage was ,862, which led the majors by125 points over Sosa.

His final OPS was 1.379, which led the majors by 205 points over Sosa.

Next: We go "back:" to 2006, as the Giants face the Marlins on May 31 at Dolphin Stadium. Jason Schmidt will pitch for the Giants, while Josh Johnson goes to the mound for the Marlins.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 12, 2024

It's Wednesday, May 31, 2006, and the Giants are taking on the Marlins in the third and final game of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium. Jason Schmidt will pitch for the Giants, while Josh Johnson gets the ball for the Marlins. Bonds is in left field and will bat fourth, as his replacement Mark Sweeney did in real life. The Giants won the actual game, 6-1. As we resume, Bonds is batting .269 (106-394) with thirty-one home runs and eighty-nine runs batted in.

In the bottom of the first with the Giants leading 1-0, shortstop Hanley Ramirez led off with a double to right center. Second baseman Dan Uggla was next, and he hit Schmidt's 2-0 curveball down the right field line and over the wall for a two-run homer, his twenty-eighth of the year, to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.

First baseman Mike Jacobs was next, and he hit Schmidt's first offering deep into the left field corner. By the time Bonds could dig it out and get the ball back into the infield, Jacobs had pulled in at third with a triple. He held at third while third baseman Miguel Cabrera grounded to short for out number one, but left fielder Josh Willingham lined a 2-1 slider into the seats in left center for his twenty-seventh home run of the year and the home squad's second two-run homer of the inning. The Marlins led 4-0 after one.

The Fish continued to play longball in the bottom of the third. Willingham led off by hitting a 1-1 slider from Schmidt four rows deep in the left center field stands to extend the Florida lead to 5-1. It was Josh's second home run in as many at-bats and his twenty-eighth of the year, and it traveled an estimated 411 feet. (Left center field is 385 feet from home plate at Dolphin Stadium.)

Right fielder Jeremy Hermida continued the inning with a bouncer to second. The Giants' Ray Durham tried to make the stop, but the ball rolled under his glove for an error, allowing Hermida to reach. Center fielder Reggie Abercrombie's bloop single to left center put runners at the corners. Catcher Miguel Olivo struck out swinging for out number one, but Johnson helped his own cause by lining a base hit up the middle. Hermida scored to make it 6-1 Marlins, while Abercrombie went to third.

With Brad Hennessey throwing in the Frisco bullpen, Schmidt needed to get Ramirez to stay in the game. This he did not accomplish; Hanley lined his 2-2 hanging curve over the right center field wall for a three-run homer. his eighteenth of the year and the Marlins' fourth of the game so far, Hennessey came in and retired Uggla on a fly to Bonds in left to end the inning, but as we headed to the fifth in Miami, it was Florida 9, San Francisco 1.

Olivo led off the bottom of the seventh by hitting a 1-1 curveball from Giants reliever Jonathan Sanchez over the left center field wall for his seventeenth home run of the year to extend the Marlins' lead to 10-1.

In the bottom of the eighth with one out and the score now 10-4. Cabrera and Willingham drew back-to-back walks against Sanchez. Brian Wilson relieved and retired Hermida on a fly to Steve Finley in right center for out number two, but Abercrombie lined a single to left center that scored Cabrera to make it 11-4 while Willingham moved to third. Olivo was next, and he topped off the evening by lining the first pitch he saw from Wilson over the wall in left center for a three-run homer his eighteenth of the year and the Marlins' sixth of the game. Our final: Marlins 14, Giants 4.

Now let's take a look at Bonds' at-bats and the Giants' offense:

In the first with two out, Finley walked. Bonds was hit on the wrist by a pitch to put two men on, and Durham lined a single to right that scored Finley to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Runners were still at first and second for first baseman Lance Niekro, but he grounded to his counterpart Jacobs to end the inning.

In the third, shortstop Omar Vizquel drew a leadoff walk. After Finley took a called third strike, Vizquel stole second. Bonds' grounder to Uggla at second moved Vizquel to third, but Durham's bouncer to short ended the inning.

In the sixth, Bonds flew to left.

In the eighth with one out and the Marlins leading 10-1, Vizquel and Finley drew back-to-back walks. Bonds bounced into a force play, which eliminated Finley but allowed Vizquel to move to third. Durham was next, and he belted a triple off the wall in straightaway center. Vizquel and Bonds scored, and the Florida lead was now 10-3. Niekro followed with a double into the right center power alley that scored Durham to make it 10-4. Third baseman Pedro Feliz was called out on strikes to end the inning.

Final totals: Marlins 14-13-0, Giants 4-6-3.

W- Johnson (13-6)
L- Schmidt (10-10)

HR- FLA: Willingham 2 (28), Olivo 2 (18), Uggla (28), Ramirez (18)

LHR- SF: Finley (6), Ellison (1)

Olivo was named Player of the Game. He was two for five with two home runs and four RBIs.

Bonds was hitless in three at-bats plus a hit-by-pitch with a run scored. He's currently batting .267 (106-397) with thirty-one home runs and eighty-nine runs batted in

Here are the updated standings in the East:

Mets: 97-65
Phillies: 85-77- 12 GB
(tie) Braves: 78-84- 19 GB
(tie) Marlins: 78-84- 19 GB
Nationals: 71-91- 26 GB

In the West:

(tie) Padres: 88-74
(tie) Dodgers: 88-74
Giants: 77-84- 10.5 GB
(tie) Rockies: 76-86- 12 GB
(tie) Diamondbacks: 76-86- 12 GB

Next: The Giants host the Marlins on Wednesday, June 7. Dontrelle Willis will start for the Marlins, while Jamey Wright heads to the mound for the Giants,

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Apr 13, 2024

It's Wednesday, June 7, 2006, and the Giants are hosting the Marlins in the third and final game of a three-game series at AT&T Park, Dontrelle Willis will pitch for the Marlins, while Jamey Wright gets the ball for the Giants. Bonds is in left field and will bat fourth, as his replacement Moises Alou did in real life. The Marlins won the actual game, 8-1.

Let's begin by examining Bonds' at-bats:

In the first, right fielder Randy Winn led off with a single to left center. Omar Vizquel flew to shallow left center for the first out, and Ray Durham forced Winn for out number two.

Bonds was next, and he hit Willis's 1-1 pitch over the right field wall for a two-run homer that tied the game at two. It was his thirty-second home run of the year and undisputed career homer Number 844. He's now twenty-four homers behind all-time leader Sadaharu Oh.

In the third, Bonds flew to Joe Borchard in right.

In the fifth, his fly to deep right center was caught at the wall by Marlins center fielder Jeremy Hermida.

In the seventh with two out, Durham singled up the middle. Bonds grounded to Miguel Cabrera at third to retire the side.

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

In the top of the first, shortstop Hanley Ramirez drew a leadoff walk. Second baseman Dan Uggla's single to right put runners at the corners. First baseman Mike Jacobs struck out swinging for out number one, but Cabrera's single to left brought Ramirez home to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead. Uggla moved to third on the hit and came home on Borchard's lined single to left center to make it 2-0 Fish. Cabrera moved to third on the hit, but Hermida went down swinging for the second out, and left fielder Cody Ross grounded to short to end the inning.

The Giants tied the game on Bonds' home run in the bottom of the first and took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second. Center fielder Steve Finley lined a leadoff single to right. First baseman Lance Niekro walked to put two men on, and Wright tried to bunt the runners over. His weak chop in front of the plate was fielded by catcher Matt Treanor, who threw to second for the force on Niekro. Finley was able to move to third on the play, and Winn bounced into another force play that eliminated Wright but allowed Finley to score and give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

Winn almost immediately broke for second, and Treanor's pickoff throw sailed into center field, which allowed Randy to move to third. He scored the Giants' fourth run on a wild pitch from Willis. Vizquel kept the inning alive with a lined single to left, but Durham's fly to deep center was caught at the wall by Hermida to retire the side.

The Marlins retied the game in the top of the third. Uggla led off with a single to left but was forced by Jacobs. Cabrera and Borchard drew back-to-back walks to load the bases, Hermida lined a base hit to center that drove in Jacobs to cut the Giants' lead to 4-3. Ross was next, and he hit a sharp grounder down to third. Feliz threw to the plate for the force on Cabrera and the second out, but Treanor walked on five pitches to force in Borchard and tie the game at four. The bases were still loaded for Willis, but he forced Treanor to end the inning.

The Fish took the lead in the top of the fourth. Ramirez lined a leadoff double off the wall in right. but had to hold while Uggla grounded to Feliz at third. Jacobs walked to put two men on, and Cabrera stroked a single to left that brought Ramirez home and put the Fish in front 5-4. Jacobs moved to third on the hit, but Borchard's line drive was caught by Feliz for out number two. A walk to Hermida loaded the bases, but Ross was called out on strikes to end the inning.

The Giants answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Finley led off with a base hit to left. Niekro walked to put two men on, and Todd Linden was called on to bat for reliever Jonathan Sanchez. He smacked Willis's first pitch into left field for a single, which scored Finley to tie the game at five. Winn forced Linden, which allowed Niekro to move to third, but Vizquel was called out on strikes for the second out, and Durham struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Marlins took the lead for good in the top of the sixth. Uggla drew a leadoff walk. Jacobs lined a base hit to right center to put two men on. Giants reliever Brad Hennessey got the next two outs, as Cabrera flew to Finley in shallow left center and Borchard flew to Bonds in shallow left. It was up to Hermida, and he slapped a base hit to left that brought Uggla home and gave the Marlins a 6-5 lead. Ross followed with a fly to the warning track in left, but Bonds made the catch to end the inning.

The Marlins added an insurance run in the eighth. With one out, Jacobs doubled to center. Cabrera lined a base hit to right to put runners at the corners, and Borchard followed with a base hit to left center that scored Jacobs and extended the Marlins' lead to 7-5. Cabrera moved to third on the hit, but Giants reliever Kevin Correia struck out both Hermida and Ross swinging to end the inning. There was no further scoring.

Final totals: Marlins 7-12-1, Giants 5-10-0,

W- Willis (13-12)
S- Borowski (36)
L- Hennessey (5-7)

HR- SF: Bonds (32)

DL- Wright (6-11)

LHR- FLA: Uggla 2 (26). Borchard (9)

Cabrera was named Player of the Game. He was three for four plus a walk and drove in two runs.

Bonds was one for four with a two-run homer. He's currently batting .267 (107-401) with thirty-two home runs and ninety-one runs batted in,

Next: The Giants begin a four-game series with the Pirates at AT&T Park on Thursday, June 8. Zach Duke will start for the Pirates, while Matt Cain goes to the mound for the Giants,

Thoughts?

King of the World: Barry Bonds Chases Sadaharu Oh

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