New York Newsday
June 23, 2007, 8:59 AM EDT
Alex Rodriguez singles against the San Francisco Giants in the seventh inning.
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Yankees may not be in their customary position of first place in the American League East. But they remain a top-drawing roadshow.
The crowds they draw – both the love-em and hate-em variety – are only amplified in interleague play. And last night's series-opening game against the Giants at San Francisco's AT&T Park, the Yankees' first-ever regular-season series there, was the greatest show in town both because it involved the Yankees and because Giants slugger Barry Bonds is closing in on Hank Aaron's all-time home run record of 755.
Bonds chugged closer last night with career homer 749, an eighth-inning solo shot off the Yankees' Scott Proctor. The Yankees had more to celebrate, though, as they won 7-3, to snap a three-game skid.
The largest regular-season crowd ever at AT&T Park saw history when Bonds crushed the eighth pitch of the Proctor at-bat over the right center field wall. They also saw the player who someday might pass both Bonds and Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, have a big night. Rodriguez reached base five times, going 4-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs.
"The pitch was on the outer corner," Proctor said of the fastball. "He's a great hitter. He took advantage of it. … Heck, yeah, I'd love to face him again."
Bonds and Rodriguez could be members of a mutual admirer's society. Although Bonds was not available for interviews, he has often praised Rodriguez. And Rodriguez was positively glowing in his praise of Bonds, as well as the ballpark and the city of San Francisco.
Barry Bonds hits a solo home run off of Scott Proctor in the eighth inning.
"You get caught up as a fan of baseball," Rodriguez said of the scene. "He's one of a kind."
The atmosphere was electric, with giddy Yankee fans enjoying a rare chance to see their team in San Francisco and followers of Bonds's pursuit reveling in his home run. Billy Crystal and Robin Williams sat together, Crystal showing his support for the Yankees and Williams donning a San Francisco hat. The Yankees got their win, Bonds got his home run (though he said before the game that he was more interested in wins), and most of the crowd went home happy.
"I'll take two more (Bonds home runs) and two more wins, I'll trade that," Rodriguez said. "I'm a huge Barry fan. As long as we win, he can do whatever he wants. Barry Bonds is the greatest of all-time."
Yankees left-hander Kei Igawa made his first major league start since May 4th. He had spent the last six weeks retooling his delivery in the minor leagues. Igawa gave up two earned runs on five hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. For four of those innings, he was outstanding. He allowed only two singles and a walk in those innings.
"He certainly was impressive the first four innings," manager Joe Torre said. "The way he pitched to Barry those two times was very impressive."
Hideki Matsui catches a fly ball hit by San Francisco Giants' Bengie Molina with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
Igawa got Bonds to ground out in his first at-bat, and struck him out swinging the second time. The fifth inning was a completely different scenario for Igawa, as he had to be bailed out by Luis Vizcaino after getting in a jam.
"I just couldn't get outs," Igawa said through an interpereter. "As I said before, I just didn't get the results today. I'll do better."
Vizcaino, Mike Myers, Proctor and Mariano Rivera completed the Yankees' win.
In being swept in Colorado, the Yankees managed a total of five runs in three games. It was something third base coach Larry Bowa, a former Phillies manager, said he had never witnessed at hitter-friendly Coors Field. The hitters were back against Giants starter Matt Cain last night, stacking up seven runs in the game on 13 hits. Melky Cabrera knocked in two runs, and Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui had one RBI each.
"What happened in Colorado was probably part of the motivation today," Matsui said.
Relievers Luis Vizcaino, Mike Myers, Proctor and Mariano Rivera completed the Yankees' win.
Torre got his 2,009th career victory, tying Leo Durocher for ninth on baseball's all-time win list. Jeter gave him the game ball afterwards, informing him of the milestone.
"Yeah, he knew," Torre said. "He says he knows everything. That means a lot, it really does."
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