HOUSTON – For the first time in nine games, Barry Bonds was not in the starting lineup last night when the Giants faced the Astros.
The left fielder, who remains one home run shy of tying Babe Ruth on the career list, took a rest one night after getting hit by a pitch from Russ Springer.
Bonds remained silent on the showdown with Springer yesterday.
When Bonds was approached by two reporters while he was playing cards before the game, he said, “Can’t we play cards in peace?” Pressed, the slugger said, “Why don’t you guys go do something else?” Bonds’ adversary in Tuesday night’s showdown also was unavailable for comment.
Springer was in Louisiana where his wife was scheduled to undergo gall bladder surgery yesterday.
Springer hit Bonds with a fastball in the shoulder in the fifth inning. Springer’s four pitches prior to the beanball also were inside and came close to hitting Bonds.
Giants manager Felipe Alou said he was upset the crowd at Minute Maid Park gave Springer a standing ovation when he was ejected from the game.
“It bothered me a lot because there’s a lot of children here watching,” Alou said.
“Even the child who (to start the game Tuesday) said, ‘Play ball.’ Remember that? I don’t believe that’s playing ball, what we saw last night. . . . I’m not talking about a guy getting hit. I’m talking about people giving a standing ovation for that action.” There was some speculation Bonds would start last night even though Alou said earlier in the week it would be a day off for the 41-year-old. It clearly was Bonds’ decision. The Giants’ lineup was not posted in the clubhouse when reporters were allowed in at 3:35 p.m. Usually it already is hanging on the wall or posted within minutes.
Yesterday the spot on the wall remained blank. Bonds also was late to the clubhouse.
Bonds arrived at 4:35, talked with Alou three minutes later in the food room, and a lineup without Bonds in it was posted five minutes after that. Bonds spent at least the next 45 minutes playing cards with his personal assistant, Greg “Sweets” Oliver.
Bonds did not appear on the field while his teammates took batting practice.
The pursuit of Ruth now returns to the Bay Area. After an off day today, the Giants play three games in Oakland against the A’s. Alou said yesterday he hopes Bonds will serve as the designated hitter in all three games.
Bonds has been stuck on 713 home runs since May 7, when he homered off the Phillies’ Jon Lieber.
