Bonds Leaves Lasting Impression on Weaver

Dodger starter Jeff Weaver said he learned a valuable lesson in Sunday’s 7-6 victory over San Francisco: Barry Bonds is really good.

“Now I know that that’s the reason he’s the best in the game,” said Weaver, who faced Bonds for the first time.

“That was one of the best offensive displays I’ve ever seen, as far as trying to keep a team in the game after we were up [five] runs. Next time, I promise you, he won’t be getting anything close to be hitting.”

The six-time National League most valuable player pounded Weaver (1-1) for a run-scoring double and homers No. 664 and 665.

Bonds’ two-run homer against Weaver highlighted the Giants’ three-run sixth, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to 7-5. Weaver was chased in the inning, facing five batters and failing to record an out. He has a 6.89 earned-run average.

“It was my first time seeing it up close and personal, it shows you exactly how great of a hitter he is, and it’s a good game to learn from,” said Weaver, who has given up 18 hits and 11 earned runs in his last 8 2/3 innings.

“Fortunate enough that we put up enough runs and it didn’t hurt us. Next time, I’ll know better. I don’t see that happening again.”

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Dodger Manager Jim Tracy made it official, saying right-hander Jose Lima would remain in the rotation as the fifth starter.

Depending on what Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn decide, Lima will pitch Friday or Saturday against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

“I’m a better pitcher now,” said Lima, a 21-game winner and All-Star with Houston in 1999. “I know I can help; just keep throwing strikes and getting people out.”

Although Tracy would not commit to Lima beyond his next start, others within the organization said the job is Lima’s to lose. That’s not good news for minor leaguer Edwin Jackson, who struggled in his last start for triple-A Las Vegas.

During winter workouts and spring training, Tracy had said that Jackson would be the fifth starter. Jackson, however, is down the rotation depth chart; left-hander Wilson Alvarez probably would get the first shot to start if Lima faltered. Tracy said he did not regret his comments about Jackson.

“I wanted the player to know exactly how much I think of him, and still think of him that way,” Tracy said.

“If I were on the other side of the desk and that were me, I’d have been very flattered by that fact.”

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The Dodgers, who got three consecutive homers in the fifth Sunday, also hit back-to-back-to-back homers Sept. 21 last season against the Giants.... Bonds is third on the all-time list with 65 multi-homer games. Babe Ruth is first with 72, and Mark McGwire is second with 67.... Dodger catcher Paul Lo Duca, who leads the majors with a .512 batting average, had the day off.