Yankees win 7-3, Bonds homers
The Yankees won 7-3, despite career home run No. 749 by Barry Bonds.
By KAT O’BRIEN
Kat.OBrien@Newsday.com
SAN FRANCISCO – The Yankees may not be in their customary position of first place in the American League East. But they remain a top-drawing roadshow.
The crowds they draw – both the love-em and hate-em variety – are only amplified in interleague play. And last night’s series-opening game against the Giants at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, the Yankees’ first-ever regular-season series there, was the greatest show in town both because it involved the Yankees and because Giants slugger Barry Bonds is closing in on Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record of 755. Bonds chugged closer last night with career homer 749, an eighth-inning solo shot off the Yankees’ Scott Proctor. The Yankees had more to celebrate, though, as they won 7-3, to snap a three-game skid.
The largest regular-season crowd ever at AT&T Park saw history when Bonds crushed the eighth pitch of the Proctor at-bat over the right center field wall. They also saw the player who someday might pass both Bonds and Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, have a big night. Rodriguez reached base five times, going 4-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs.
“The pitch was on the outer corner,” Proctor said of the fastball. “He’s a great hitter. He took advantage of it. … Heck, yeah, I’d love to face him again.”
Bonds and Rodriguez could be members of a mutual admirer’s society. Although Bonds was not available for interviews, he has often praised Rodriguez. And Rodriguez was positively glowing in his praise of Bonds, as well as the ballpark and the city of San Francisco.
“You get caught up as a fan of baseball,” Rodriguez said of the scene. “He’s one of a kind.”
The atmosphere was electric, with giddy Yankee fans enjoying a rare chance to see their team in San Francisco and followers of Bonds’s pursuit reveling in his home run. Billy Crystal and Robin Williams sat together, Crystal showing his support for the Yankees and Williams donning a San Francisco hat. The Yankees got their win, Bonds got his home run (though he said before the game that he was more interested in wins), and most of the crowd went home happy.
“I’ll take two more (Bonds home runs) and two more wins, I’ll trade that,” Rodriguez said. “I’m a huge Barry fan. As long as we win, he can do whatever he wants. Barry Bonds is the greatest of all-time.”
Yankees left-hander Kei Igawa made his first major league start since May 4th. He had spent the last six weeks retooling his delivery in the minor leagues. Igawa gave up two earned runs on five hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. For four of those innings, he was outstanding. He allowed only two singles and a walk in those innings.
“He certainly was impressive the first four innings,” manager Joe Torre said. “The way he pitched to Barry those two times was very impressive.”
Igawa got Bonds to ground out in his first at-bat, and struck him out swinging the second time. The fifth inning was a completely different scenario for Igawa, as he had to be bailed out by Luis Vizcaino after getting in a jam.
“I just couldn’t get outs,” Igawa said through an interpereter. “As I said before, I just didn’t get the results today. I’ll do better.”
Vizcaino, Mike Myers, Proctor and Mariano Rivera completed the Yankees’ win.
In being swept in Colorado, the Yankees managed a total of five runs in three games. It was something third base coach Larry Bowa, a former Phillies manager, said he had never witnessed at hitter-friendly Coors Field. The hitters were back against Giants starter Matt Cain last night, stacking up seven runs in the game on 13 hits. Melky Cabrera knocked in two runs, and Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui had one RBI each.
“What happened in Colorado was probably part of the motivation today,” Matsui said.
Relievers Luis Vizcaino, Mike Myers, Proctor and Mariano Rivera completed the Yankees’ win.
Torre got his 2,009th career victory, tying Leo Durocher for ninth on baseball’s all-time win list. Jeter gave him the game ball afterwards, informing him of the milestone.
“Yeah, he knew,” Torre said. “He says he knows everything. That means a lot, it really does.”
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (7)
Did AR sound like a man on a promotional tour or what?
He comes into SF gushing about the city and their most famous player, schedules a sit-down with the press for only the second time this year, and tells all and sundry that he won't be in the homer hitting contest at the All-Star festivities because his obligation is to the Yankees "right now".
Brilliant, Boras.
Diane, that was a good observation. I don't think A-Rod is necessarily interested in playing in San Francisco, but I think he took advantage of the record-breaking climate to plant a seed that suggested he could be the one to break Bonds' record. I think he stole a bit of Bonds' thunder and the spotlight by engaging in that specific interview at that specific time (while Bonds refused to engage the press).
Diane, it was very perceptive of you to notice A-Rod's use of the words "right now." While he may have been suggesting regular season play as opposed to what he would be willing to do off-season or if the Yankees had a decent lead in the standings, the words are certainly open to interpretation (good choice of words, A-Rod).
As far as Boras, I'd say give the dog a bone, but pigs are not known to eat bones (that's not nice, I know, but I couldn't help myself.)
Lucy, I agree wtih you that AR may not have any particular interest in playing in SF, but was simply jumping on the most likely situation to result in broad publicity for his remarks as well as his record-setting potential.
Hey, marketing is marketing.
And it sets up as a good replacement in the public mind for the last time he was so extensively covered.
Can someone please tell me how in the world Damon isn't on the DL yet?
Torre says at most he's available to pinch hit until Tuesday when the Yankees are back playing in AL parks. What is the point of keepingn Damon on the roster when he's obviously no where close to where he needs to be?
I dont understand why everybody and their mothers are ganging up on Scott Boras. He is a phenomenal businessman who does his job very well and to boot, we'd all do the exact same thing in his place. What do you want him to do, make less money for himself and his clients? Do you expect him to give certain teams discounts? He plays by the rules and makes the best of them. If you had to sell your house you'd want the equivalent of a Scott Boras broker to get u the best possible deal. With that in mind, lets stop degrading him. It just isnt right...Lucy
If I were a ballplayer, I would want Scott Boras as an agent.
I'd want the best deal possible AND SO WOULD ALL OF YOU!
DG, it just isn't right...to YOU, as you are entitled to feel. I see it differently, as is my prerogative. You don't agree with my assessment of Boras, but that's just too bad, isn't it? You'll just have to get over it as Boras' personal cheerleader.
There's a reason why Scott Boras is hated by so many owners and GM's who refuse to deal with him and, consequently, his clients, no matter how talented they are. His greed is becoming famous, even monumental. Of course, the owners don't have to agree to his outrageous demands, but their willingness to do so has its own inherent faults. But that takes nothing away from Boras' deviate greediness.
There's being a good businessman on the one hand, seeking a great deal for your client, and then there shameless greed on the other. His outrageous demands (way beyond what's considered normal) fall into the category of shameless greed IN MY EYES. To me, Boras is Greed Personified.