San Francisco (12-14) at New York (10-15), 4:10 p.m. PT
By Rich Draper / MLB.com
Brett Tomko is 2-0 in his last three starts vs. the Mets. (Denis Poroy/AP)
It's been a literal walk in the park this season for Giants slugger -- and baseball's premier walkmeister -- Barry Bonds, but one that takes the joy from the player's competitive spirit.
"It bothers all of us," said Bonds of being walked intentionally 22 times this season, including a Major League-record four times against the Florida Marlins on Saturday.
Bonds was suffering with a sinus problem and took most of the day off Sunday at SBC Park, but he walked as a pinch-hitter -- not intentionally -- and eventually scored the game-winnng run in a 9-8 victory over the Marlins.
Manager Felipe Alou expects more of the purposeful strolls to continue when the Giants play the Mets at Shea Stadium in Tuesday night's start of a three-game series.
"He says, 'They keep walking me,' but it doesn't go further than that," said Alou of Bonds' feelings. "To me, it's like a joke now. It is like a fairgrounds -- 'Hey, let's put him on.' I believe people want to do what a lot of people are doing. It is the style today."
Maybe for good reason. Taking the bat out of a super-duper-megaslugger like Bonds does make sense. It's not cheating, not illegal. Besides, given an opportunity to swing this season, he has merely hit .463 with 10 homers, a 1.111 slugging percentage, 22 RBIs and a .526 mark over his last 18 games.
Putting his walks into perspective, the second-ranking team in the Majors, Atlanta, has 12 intentional free passes.
"We take great satisfaction -- I don't know if Barry does -- that he scores often when he's walked as he did last year," said Alou.
Bonds has hit two career homers against Steve Trachsel, the Mets' starter Tuesday night, but is hitting only .237 over 38 at-bats.
Barry Bonds / LF
Born: 07/24/64
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 230 lbs
Bats: L / Throws: L
Florida manager Jack McKeon, who handed Bonds his record on Saturday, was in a teasing mood after he let Matt Perisho pitch to Barry in the 11th.
"We pitched to him, and I didn't hear anybody say anything," said McKeon. "Our pitcher walked him. He swung the bat twice and fouled a couple off. People can't complain we didn't pitch to him. Why didn't he chase those pitches? All the other hitters are chasing those 3-2 pitches and 2-2 pitches. He's a good hitter."
The Giants hope their Shea Stadium experience will be more pleasant than last year, when their Aug. 15 game was postponed due to the big blackout.
They spent four hours stranded at Shea Stadium before finally busing, vanning and limo-ing to Philadelphia for a flight to Montreal.
While San Francisco was in the National League West basement last week, they've extricated themselves into third place by winning six of their last nine contests. The Giants have scored 37 runs in their last four wins and have a team batting average of .262. Only a few days ago, it was .249.
Right-hander Brett Tomko is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts vs. the Mets. In six starts at Shea, he is 2-2 with a 6.15 ERA.
Pitching matchup SF: RHP Brett Tomko
1-1, 7.57 ERA in 2004
1-0, 3.75 in 2003 vs. NYM
3-5, 5.98 lifetime vs. NYM
CHI: RHP Steve Trachsel
2-3, 4.50 ERA in 2004
2-0, 1.72 in 2003 vs. SF
7-3, 2.63 lifetime vs. SF
On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday AudioGamedayOfficial game notesOn television
NYM: MSG
SF: KTVU
On radio
NYM: WFAN 660
SF: KNBR 680
On deck
Giants at Mets, Tuesday, 4:10 p.m. PT
Giants at Mets, Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. PT
Giants at Mets, Thursday, 4:10 p.m. PT
Giants at Reds, Friday, 4:10 p.m. PT
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Barry Bonds / LF
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