Giants win, but Bonds still one behind ?Babe?
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Now, everything is lined up just right for him to tie Babe Ruth: The rival Los Angeles Dodgers are coming to town the same day the Giants will throw a belated 75th birthday bash for his godfather, Willie Mays.
Bonds remained one home run shy of Ruth?s 714, going 0-for-3 with two walks that keyed a pair of rallies in San Francisco?s 9-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
The slugger will resume his pursuit Friday night against the Dodgers and Brad Penny, who has allowed three homers to Bonds.
Bonds? homerless stretch reached three games and the banners to honor him were still rolled up and waiting to be unfurled from two light towers in center field on each side of the main scoreboard.
But Bonds still contributed plenty by getting on base. He was walked in a five-run first inning and again ahead of Steve Finley?s bases-loaded triple in the fourth as the Giants gave Jamey Wright (3-3) more than enough support.
San Francisco scored six runs following Bonds? walks.
Pedro Feliz, Mike Matheny and Kevin Frandsen also drove in runs in the first inning to stake Wright to a big lead, and the right-hander allowed two runs in 7 1-3 innings to snap a three-start losing streak. He left to a loud standing ovation.