Giants drop extra-inning affair on Bonds' historical night

Baseball Betting Lines

08/05/2007 - San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barry Bonds tied one of the most coveted records in sports, belting his 755th career homer, equaling the all-time mark set by Hank Aaron in the Giants' 3-2, 12-inning loss to the San Diego Padres.

The San Francisco slugger took a 2-1 fastball from Clay Hensley leading off the second inning and drove the ball well over the wall in left-center field, off an advertising sign. The ball then landed in the bleachers below the main scoreboard.

"The hard part is over right now," Bonds said.

Bonds didn't a chance though for No. 756, as he walked in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings before being removed in favor of Rajai Davis, who pinch-ran and played left field. The Giants then lost in the 12th inning when Khalil Greene singled up the middle with the bases loaded.

The 43-year-old Bonds, making his ninth straight start, was congratulated by his teammates after crossing the plate.

The hit, his 21st homer of the year that traveled an estimated 382 feet, tied the game 1-1.

Bonds' son, Nikolai, was waiting at home plate and hugged his father. Soon after teammates joined in the tempered celebration. Bonds then went over to the field-level seats and kissed his daughter Aisha and his wife, Liz.

There was a mixed reaction from the crowd at Petco Park, and commissioner Bud Selig, who was in attendance, was shown without much emotion and had his hands in his pockets.

That's because many fans believe Bonds' chase to the home run record has been tainted. Bonds is suspected of using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. A federal grand jury is investigating whether Bonds perjured himself almost four years ago when he told a previous grand jury he had not knowingly taken steroids.

Selig issued a statement before the game ended.

"Congratulations to Barry Bonds as he ties Major League Baseball's home run record," the commissioner said. "No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds' achievement is noteworthy and remarkable.

"As I said previously, out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact that all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, either I or a representative of my office will attend the next few games and make every attempt to observe the breaking of the all-time home run record."

After the game, Bonds said he hadn't spoken to Selig.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever gone through in my entire career," said Bonds, who also got a call from his other daughter, Shikari, during the post- game press conference. "It's a different feeling than any other ones. I'm at a loss for words at this moment. I'm still in a daze."

Adam Hughes, a 33-year-old Padres fan from nearby La Jolla, caught the ball. Hughes, a plumber, said after the game he hasn't decided if he'll sell the ball. He and Bonds crossed paths at the news conference, but didn't speak to each other.

The Giants lost in extra innings for a second consecutive night, this time with Randy Messenger (1-4) giving up the winning hit. Marcus Giles walked, stole second and moved to third on a bunt from Mike Cameron. Josh Bard and Adrian Gonzalez were intentionally walked ahead of Greene's liner up the middle.

Cla Meredith (4-5) got the victory by throwing one inning.

Coming into the game, Bonds was 2-for-18 since hitting his 754th homer on July 27 against Florida. This was his 87th career homer against the Padres, his most against any team. However, it was just his fourth homer at spacious Petco Park.

Bonds said after the game he wouldn't be in the lineup Sunday and instead would celebrate the accomplishment with his family. The chance to break Aaron's record shifts back to the Bay Area. The Giants are at home this coming week, playing four games against Washington and three versus Pittsburgh.

"It's like saying to my own family I'm coming home," Bonds said. "I'm coming home."

Scott Hairston, the hero with a pair of homers in Friday night's 4-3 10-inning victory, went deep again for the Padres, who have won three in a row.

The Giants, who were limited to five hits, lost for the third time in four contests.

Hairston led off the first inning with a homer to left-center field, and after Bonds tied the game, the Giants went ahead 2-1 in the fourth with Bonds scoring that run. He walked, and Ryan Klesko followed with a double to right before Bengie Molina's groundout to third base brought home the seven-time National League MVP.

Hairston singled to start the fifth and scored on a triple to right by Cameron. However, the Padres couldn't get Cameron home as Patrick Misch, making his first major league start, got three straight outs.

San Diego had runners at the corners in the sixth, but Jonathan Sanchez struck out Hairston to end that inning.

Game Notes

Bonds has homered off an MLB-best 445 pitchers. He has 72 homers since his 40th birthday, equaling Carlton Fisk for the most all-time by a player after turning 40...San Diego is 8-3 this year against the Giants...The teams combined to go 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position...Misch struck out eight over five innings, while Hensley was lifted after 4 2/3 innings...The hit was the second home run milestone on Saturday in the majors, as New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to reach the 500-home run plateau, belting a three-run shot in the first inning of a 16-8 win against Kansas City. Bonds said he called Rodriguez to congratulate him and would also wish New York Mets lefty Tom Glavine luck as he chases his 300th victory by pitching in Chicago against the Cubs Sunday night.