BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : NATIONAL LEAGUE NOTES : Pirates’ Bonds Finally Breaks Loose After Getting Vist From an Old Friend

One of Barry Bonds’ biggest fans flew in from his home in Bradenton, Fla., in hopes of helping the Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfielder break out of his three-year slump in the NL playoffs.

A fan by the name of Bobby Bonilla.

Bonilla left the Pirates after their seven-game playoff loss to the Braves last season to sign with the New York Mets. Bonds and Bonilla played on rival teams in the same division this season, but stayed in close contact and talked frequently.

“I talked with him almost as much as when we played together,” Bonilla said.

Bonds responded to the visit Sunday night, getting two hits, driving in a run and making a spectacular catch in left field.

The Pirates are attempting to become the first National League team to rally from a 3-1 deficit in playoff games since the series went to a best-of-seven format in 1985. Pittsburgh’s seven runs Sunday were the most the Pirates have scored in a playoff game since Game 3 in 1979, when they beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-1. Their 13 hits were the most in a playoff game since Game 2 in 1971, when they had 15 during a 9-4 victory at San Francisco.

The Pirates had five doubles Sunday and have a National League playoff record 13. The old record was 12 by the 1985 Dodgers during their six-game victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and by the 1988 New York Mets, who lost to the Dodgers in seven games. The major-league record is 19, set by Toronto against Kansas City in 1985.

The Pirates’ four doubles during the first inning also set a National League playoff record.