Bat, Fist Talk for Bonds in Win

Barry Bonds was in the middle of it all Sunday.

He smacked the second of three consecutive home runs for San Francisco in the second inning, then was at the center of a bench-clearing brawl after being hit by a pitch from Ricky Bottalico.

Bonds finished four for four and drove in three runs before being ejected in the Giants’ 15-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

“[Fights] are a part of baseball,” said Bonds, who had a welt above his right eye after the game. “I don’t need to comment on it further.”

Bonds homered, tripled and singled twice. He also stole a base in the fifth inning, when the Giants led, 9-2.

With the Giants ahead, 12-3, Bonds led off the seventh and Bottalico, who had just entered the game, hit him in the right knee.

Bonds charged the mound and tackled Bottalico. Both benches and bullpens emptied.

In the bottom of the inning, Giant starter Kirk Rueter (12-6) hit Alex Arias with two out and none on. Arias walked toward the mound before catcher Brent Mayne got in his way. Both benches and bullpens cleared again, but no punches were thrown.

Arias was ejected but Rueter stayed in the game.