Thursday, July 5, 2007

CINCINNATI (AP) In the same city where Hank Aaron completed his quest, Barry Bonds came out hammering.

Swinging at the first three pitches he saw, Bonds connected on his third try for homer No. 751 on Tuesday night. He's now four shy of Aaron's record following the San Francisco Giants' 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

"He's a guy that people were saying: 'Is Father Time catching up with him?' " manager Bruce Bochy said.

Instead, Bonds got closer to catching Aaron in the city where Hammerin' Hank hit No. 714, tying Babe Ruth's previous mark. That record-book homer on opening day 1974 landed at Riverfront Stadium, which has since been demolished.

Aaron's record soon will be, too.

"I'm playing pretty good for an old guy," the 42-year-old Bonds said. "I just wish we were playing better as a team."

So do the Reds, who have the major leagues' worst record and its newest manager.

Brandon Phillips' grand slam gave Pete Mackanin a victory in his debut as Cincinnati's interim manager. Mackanin was promoted from advance scout after Jerry Narron was fired on Sunday night.

"It doesn't matter who the manager is," Phillps said. "It just feels good to get a win."

The fans came to experience something more significant.

Bonds' homer on his third swing of the game drew loud and prolonged boos from the crowd of 37,299, a reminder that fans outside of San Francisco view his record chase through the prism of baseball's steroid scandal.

Like it or not, he's closing in.

"Yeah, it's a little closer," Bonds said. "Can I feel it? No. I can feel 751 right now. I can't feel 755. I can feel 751 — feels good."

Bonds' second career homer off Aaron Harang (9-2) was the master stroke in a sloppy game between last-place teams in the NL's West and Central divisions. They combined for 14 walks, two hit batters and a wild pitch.

Giants left-hander Barry Zito didn't give up a hit until the fifth inning — and didn't throw many strikes, either. He walked five batters in a 44-pitch fourth inning, including Edwin Encarnacion and Alex Gonzalez with the bases loaded.

Phillips put the Reds ahead to stay with his second career grand slam in the sixth off Kevin Correia (1-4).

The game had a couple of intriguing subplots: A rare matchup of famed home run hitters in Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr., and a near-novice manager dabbling in one of baseball's great dramas.

Bonds and the 37-year-old Griffey have been friends for most of their careers, sons of famous fathers who showed them how to play the game. They catch up online about once a month and feel even closer than their home run totals.

Griffey flied out and walked three times on Tuesday, leaving him with 585 career homers.

"1-0, me against Junior," Bonds teased.

Pirates 6, Brewers 2

In Pittsburgh, Shane Youman gave up two runs over six innings to earn his first major league win and the Pirates took advantage of a season-high four errors by Milwaukee.

Youman (1-0) allowed eight hits in his first start of the season.

After Rajai Davis doubled to start the bottom of the third against starter Chris Capuano, consecutive errors on ground balls by shortstop Craig Counsell and third baseman Braun led to Jason Bay's RBI grounder.

Cubs 3, Nationals 1

In Washington, Carlos Zambrano won his third consecutive start for Chicago, while Alfonso Soriano again hurt his former team with two hits and two runs scored.

Rockies 11, Mets 3

In Denver, former Met Kaz Matsui had a career-high five hits and Ryan Spilborghs hit his first grand slam to lead Colorado.

Matsui, a second baseman who played for the Mets from 2004 to 2006, was 5-for-5, all singles.

Diamondbacks 7, Cardinals 1

In St. Louis, stand-in starter Yusmeiro Petit pitched into the sixth inning in place of the injured Randy Johnson and Arizona backed him with three home runs.

Outfielder So Taguchi finished 1-for-4 for the Cardinals.

Astros 5, Phillies 4 (13)

In Houston, Hunter Pence hit a winning solo homer off Jose Mesa on the first pitch of the 13th inning as the Astros took advantage of a questionable umpire's call to beat Philadelphia.

The rookie center fielder's 10th homer was the third walk-off homer for Houston in six days.

Carlos Lee hit a groundball to shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who flipped to Chase Utley to start a potential game-ending double play in the ninth. The relay throw appeared to beat Lee to first base by half a step, but the umpire called Lee safe and then Craig Biggio singled to tie the game.

Marlins 6, Padres 4

In San Diego, Hanley Ramirez, who didn't start because of a hamstring strain, hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in a four-run seventh inning as Florida beat the Padres.

Justin Miller (3-0), who retired one batter in the sixth inning, got the victory. Kevin Gregg, who blew his first save opportunity Sunday, struck out the side in the ninth for his 16th save in 17 opportunities.

Dodgers 7, Braves 6

In Los Angeles, Wilson Betemit went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs against his former team as the Dodgers edged out Atlanta.

Los Angeles' Rudy Seanez (5-1) pitched a perfect seventh inning for the win. Jonathan Broxton pitched a hitless eighth and Takashi Saito got three outs in the ninth to record his 23rd save.

The victory moved the Dodgers to a season-best 12 games over .500 (48-36).

Brian McCann homered and had three RBIs for Atlanta.

Neither starting pitcher made it past the third. The Braves' Kyle Davies was charged with five runs, six hits and two walks in two-plus innings. Los Angeles lefty Randy Wolf gave up six runs.

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