Bonds hits No. 709 in win over Rockies
Barry Bonds found his elusive power stroke in Denver’s thin air.
Bonds homered for the first time this season Saturday night at Coors Field, sending a belt-high fastball from right-hander Aaron Cook 384 feet to left for his 709th career home run.
After circling the bases, Bonds knocked fists with teammates Moises Alou and Pedro Feliz and manager Felipe Alou as he descended into the third-base dugout to jeers and a scattering of applause.
Bonds moved within five home runs of Babe Ruth for the most by a left-handed hitter with 714. It came in his 31st at-bat and 14th game.
For San Francisco’s slugger, it was one of the longest homerless streaks to start the season. In 1998, he didn’t homer until his 13th game and 50th at-bat, the longest season-opening drought of his career when healthy.
Hounded by steroid suspicions, a federal probe into his testimony in the BALCO steroid case and baseball’s investigation of performance-enhancing drugs, Bonds got off to a slow start this season despite a stellar spring.
Plagued also by sore knees, a swollen left elbow and few pitchers willing to challenge him – he walked 19 times before hitting his first home run – Bonds brought a .200 batting average and just one RBI into the game.
Flag saver to be honored
Rick Monday never tires of answering questions about that memorable day 30 years ago, when he performed his own Patriot Act and unwittingly became an icon to millions of American war heroes and their loved ones.
Monday was playing center field for the Chicago Cubs on April 25, 1976, at Dodger Stadium when he noticed two protesters kneeling on the grass in left-center, intending to burn the American flag. He immediately bolted toward them and snatched it away.
“I was angry when I saw them start to do something to the flag, and I’m glad that I happened to be geographically close enough to do something about it,” said Monday, now in his 13th season as a Dodgers broadcaster.
The Dodgers will acknowledge the event before the finale of a nine-game homestand today, two days before the actual anniversary of it. A video tribute will be shown before the game and Monday will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. On Tuesday, the Houston Astros will honor him as well when the Dodgers play the middle game of a three-game series.
Helton goes on DL
The Colorado Rockies still don’t know for sure what ails slugger Todd Helton. They just know they’re going to be without him for a while.
The Rockies placed their star first baseman on the 15-day disabled list because of a stomach ailment. The move was made retroactive to Thursday. The five-time All-Star was hospitalized with stomach discomfort and a fever on Friday and will remain there until testing and diagnosis are complete, the team said.
Clearing the bases
Toronto placed starter A.J. Burnett on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury suffered against Boston on Friday. … Shortstop Bobby Crosby is not expected to miss significant time for Oakland with a strained right triceps muscle sustained in batting practice Friday. … Reliever Jeremy Guthrie was recalled from the minors to help the ailing Cleveland bullpen. The Indians have three relievers – Fernando Cabrera, Matt Miller and Rafael Betancourt – on the disabled list.