Bonds Homers, but Giants Lose in the 11th

Barry Bonds hit a tying, pinch-hit, two-run home run for the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning against Billy Wagner for his 711th homer to force extra innings, but the New York Mets scored twice in the 11th to salvage a 9-7 victory Wednesday at San Francisco.

“He’s not the old Bonds, but he can still hit,” Wagner said.

Bonds sent a 99-mph fastball from Wagner into the seats in left-center field for his third homer and second in as many games.

“He’s still the best in the game to me, but I liked our matchup because Billy’s one of the best closers in the game,” Met Manager Willie Randolph said.

It was Bonds’ fourth career pinch-homer. Wagner became the 418th pitcher to surrender a homer to Bonds, who hadn’t had a pinch-hit homer since Aug. 23, 2001, at Montreal.

Met starter Brian Bannister had to be helped off the field after straining his right hamstring running the bases in the sixth inning.

Arizona 3, San Diego 2 -- Orlando Hernandez threw six strong innings and rookie Conor Jackson homered for the go-ahead run at San Diego.

Mike Piazza hit his 400th homer, with two out in the ninth, his third with the Padres.

Milwaukee 5, Atlanta 4 -- Ben Sheets (1-2) won for the first time since tearing a back muscle in August and the Brewers swept the Braves at Milwaukee.

Sheets struck out nine in six innings.

St. Louis 4, Pittsburgh 3 -- Albert Pujols hit a game-winning double in the ninth inning after Jason Isringhausen gave up a tying homer to Jose Hernandez in the top half, giving the host Cardinals a three-game sweep.

Cincinnati 5, Washington 0 -- Bronson Arroyo threw eight innings of one-hit ball at Washington.

Arroyo (4-0) gave up only Ryan Zimmerman’s single to right-center field with two out in the fourth.

Florida 7, Chicago 5 -- Pinch-hitter Wes Helms had a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning at Chicago and former Cub Ricky Nolasco got his first major league win.

Philadelphia 9, Colorado 5 -- David Bell hit a three-run homer and Pat Burrell drove in two runs for the Phillies at Philadelphia.

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Big shots

Barry Bonds and Mike Piazza hit significant home runs:

711

* Bonds hit a pinch-hit two-run homer to put him three behind Babe Ruth. It came against Billy Wagner, the 418th pitcher to give up a Bonds homer.

400

* Piazza became the first catcher to hit 400 homers with his solo shot for the Padres. It was his 223rd homer since he was traded by the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Times

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Piazza power

Most of Mike Piazza’s homers have come as a member of two teams: the Dodgers and the Mets.

*--* YEARS TEAM AB HR 1992-98 Dodgers 2,707 177 1998 Marlins 18 0 1998-2005 Mets 3,478 220 2006 Padres 57 3 Totals -- 6,260 400

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