Smith Helps Hold Giants at Bay, 3-2

The San Francisco Giants knew all about Mark Smith’s bat. They certainly weren’t forewarned about his arm.

Smith hit one of Pittsburgh’s two homers in the first inning, then cut down Barry Bonds at the plate as the Pirates continued to play tough against division leaders by defeating the Giants, 3-2, Friday night.

“Mark Smith was the star of this game,” San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker said. “But it still was the right move [to send Bonds home]. He [Smith] doesn’t throw that well. But it just didn’t work.”

Bonds, also thrown out trying to steal in the first inning, was attempting to score on Bill Mueller’s two-out single in the fourth when catcher Jason Kendall fooled Bonds by standing leisurely as if the ball would be late. He then snatched Smith’s throw and applied the tag as he blocked the plate.

“I thought we had a shot at him,” Kendall said. “Smitty made a good throw, and that’s what made the play work.”

Steve Cooke (9-12) got his first victory in six starts by avoiding his usual first-inning troubles--with the help of Kendall’s throwing arm. Bonds singled with two out in the first, only his third hit in 21 at-bats off Cooke, but Kendall threw him out as he tried to steal second.

Cooke, winless since July 19, had given up 13 runs and four homers in the first inning of his previous five starts--all Pirate losses. Cooke gave up six hits before leaving with two on and two out in the seventh.

Ricardo Rincon pitched a scoreless eighth and Rich Loiselle finished for his 22nd save with his 12th scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances.

The Pirates have played their best against the NL’s top teams in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season. They are 16-11 against the Giants (6-3), Braves (6-5) and Astros (4-3) and have won four of their last five against San Francisco.

“But I don’t think we approach everybody the same,” Pittsburgh Manager Gene Lamont said. “I don’t think you get up for one team more than another.”

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Pittsburgh Pirates

WHERE: at Pittsburgh

WHEN:

Monday (DH), 2, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.