Bonds’ Big Hit Isn’t as Expected

Barry Bonds endured a painful batting practice and then was hitless in four at-bats Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, leaving him at 712 home runs, two behind Babe Ruth and in third place all-time.

After the San Francisco Giants defeated the Brewers, 2-0, Giant Manager Felipe Alou said Bonds might not play today.

Commissioner Bud Selig, who lives and keeps an office in Milwaukee, was in town but chose not to attend the game, despite Bonds’ proximity to Ruth and his to Miller Field.

Bonds said he did not feel slighted by the apparent lack of interest from the commissioner, who in March launched a game-wide investigation into steroid use at least in part because of Bonds’ alleged use, but used the question to absolve reporters following his march toward Ruth.

“Why would I be upset by it? That’s not fair to Bud,” he said. “That’s not fair to MLB when they’ve really never [celebrated such events] anyway. That’s just a slap in my face. That’s all this is with you guys. That’s not fair to MLB and to Bud. That’s just slapping me down again.

“But that’s OK, though. I respect you anyway. I forgive you every day. I forgive all you all that write nasty things about me. And I pray for all you all. I will hope nothing ever happens to you. And, you know, that’s the truth. And that’s from the bottom of my heart and one day you’ll believe me.”

Already balancing an arthritic right knee and a sore left elbow, Bonds was knocked flat during batting practice when he was struck in the forehead by a tipped ball.

He was helped to his feet by Giant trainers and appeared woozy on his way to the clubhouse, where he was examined twice by a Brewer team physician and cleared to play.

About 90 minutes before the first pitch, Bonds was leaning on the batting cage when rookie Kevin Frandsen fouled a pitch straight back into the protective netting. Bonds was close enough, and the net slack enough, that the ball carried into his face.

He shouted in pain, staggered away from the cage and fell to one knee. As coaches and trainers arrived, Bonds rolled onto his back, his hands over his face, where he remained for more than five minutes.

“I thought I was going to come in and my locker was going to be completely cleaned out,” Frandsen said.

Bonds returned about 15 minutes later still blinking hard and loosening his neck. He took a round of batting practice, and then played 8 1/2 innings.

Despite his aches and the recent mishap, Bonds, 41, started in left field for the fourth consecutive game and has played in 13 of 14, appearing in three of those games as a pinch-hitter.

Bonds was mildly booed during his at-bats, and a handful of fans occasionally chanted “Steroids!” while Bonds stood in left field, but the crowd of 17,358 was otherwise tame.