Tim Wakefield learned the hard way not to try to sneak a knuckleball by Barry Bonds.
Bonds hit his 748th career homer in Boston’s 9-5 victory over the Giants on Sunday, adding Fenway Park, the Red Sox and Wakefield to his scrapbook and moving within seven of Hank Aaron’s mark.
Bonds had been hitless in eight at-bats against Wakefield, even joking that the pitches were too slow to hit hard.
“I think my age got me slower so I’m more able to time it a bit better,” Bonds said with a smile after going 2-for-3 on Sunday. “I tip my cap to him, he came after me in every at-bat. He gave me something to hit.”
The last time Bonds homered off a knuckler was when he hit No. 73 of 2001 off Los Angeles Dodger Dennis Springer to establish the single-season record.
But his sixth-inning solo shot merely cut Boston’s lead to 8-4, and Manny Ramirez padded the lead with his second homer in as many games. Ramirez was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, David Ortiz had a pair of doubles, and Wakefield (7-7) pitched well before faltering in the sixth to help the Red Sox complete the three-game sweep.
“I was fortunate enough to pitch to him where a home run didn’t bother us too much,” said Wakefield, who allowed five runs and eight hits with a walk, striking out three in 5 2-3 innings. “It’s great to walk away from this homestand 4-2. To sweep San Francisco was special.”
The lifetime National Leaguer, a seven-time MVP, has now homered in 36 ballparks, adding Fenway to the list in his third game at the ballpark that was the first home of the first man to top 700 homers. Bonds passed Babe Ruth and his 714 total last year, and resumed his pursuit of Aaron’s 755 with 11 homers in his first 76 at-bats this year; but he has just three in 91 at-bats since.
“It was never gone,” Bonds said of his home run stroke. “It’s the person. It’s me. Sometimes you just don’t have it. Sometimes you do.”
In other interleague games, it was: Los Angeles Angels 10, Los Angeles Dodgers 4; New York Yankees 8, New York Mets 2; Cleveland 5, Atlanta 2; Detroit 7, Philadelphia 4; Minnesota 10, Milwaukee 9; Pittsburgh 8, Chicago White Sox 7; Washington 4, Toronto 2; Arizona 6, Baltimore 4; Tampa Bay 7, Colorado 4; St. Louis 10, Oakland 6; Houston 10, Seattle 3; Kansas City 5, Florida 4; and Texas 11, Cincinnati 4.
In the only National League game, San Diego beat the Chicago Cubs 11-3.
Bonds and Wakefield were teammates with Pittsburgh in 1992.
“When we were in Pittsburgh, we loved him,” Bonds said. “We’re both in our 40s now, and he’s still good.”
Bonds singled in the second against his ex-teammate and hit a long – but not threatening – fly ball to center in the third. He came up again to lead off the sixth, posing for some pictures while on deck for both Giants and Red Sox fans.
After a mixed response, he watched a ball go by and then sent the next knuckler to right, on a line toward the red seat that marks Ted Williams’ longest home run. Drew chased after the ball and reached out for it, but it went into the Giants bullpen.
Angels 10, Dodgers 4
At Los Angeles, Howie Kendrick and Orlando Cabrera had three hits apiece to help the Angels clinch the second Freeway Series of the season.
Kelvim Escobar (8-3) allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings to get the win. Randy Wolf (8-5) gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings for the Dodgers.
Yankees 8, Mets 2
At New York, Alex Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 27th homer, Chien-Ming Wang (7-4) came within one out of a complete game and the Yankees won the second Subway Series of the season.
Rodriguez hit a mammoth homer and knocked in three early runs as the Bronx Bombers jumped out to a 6-0 lead against ex-Yankee Orlando Hernandez (3-3), who gave up six runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings.
Indians 5, Braves 2
At Cleveland, Fausto Carmona (8-2) pitched seven-plus innings to help the Indians avoid a three-game sweep.
Casey Blake extended the majors’ longest hitting streak of the season to 26 games. Two Atlanta errors helped the Indians take a 5-0 lead with a four-run sixth against Kyle Davies (3-6).
Tigers 7, Phillies 4
At Philadelphia, Magglio Ordonez had three RBIs, Craig Monroe drove in two runs and Justin Verlander (8-2) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings for the Tigers.
Geoff Geary (1-2) got the loss. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was ejected by plate umpire Bill Welke in the eighth and manager Charlie Manuel was tossed moments later. Third base coach Steve Smith also was thrown out for arguing from the dugout.
Twins 10, Brewers 9
At Minneapolis, Justin Morneau hit the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning over the baggie in right field for his third game-winning homer of the season for Minnesota.
Morneau’s homer off Chris Spurling (1-1) was his 20th of the season. The drive by the reigning AL MVP bailed out teammate Lew Ford, whose two fielding miscues in the top of the inning allowed visiting Milwaukee to tie the game off closer Joe Nathan (3-1).
Pirates 8, White Sox 7
At Pittsburgh, Nate McLouth had a career-high four RBIs and Jose Bautista homered and drove in two runs for the Pirates.
Shawn Chacon (3-1) pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings to get the win and Matt Capps earned his fifth save despite allowing two unearned runs in the ninth. Nick Masset (2-3) got the loss.
Nationals 4, Blue Jays 2
At Toronto, Ryan Zimmerman homered for the second straight game for Washington, which overcame Frank Thomas’ record 244th homer as a designated hitter.
Micah Bowie (4-2) allowed two runs and four hits over six innings, matching his longest start of the season, to win his fourth straight decision.
Diamondbacks 6, Orioles 4
At Baltimore, Chad Tracy singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and Arizona capitalized on another poor performance by the Baltimore bullpen in a victory that extended the Orioles’ losing streak to eight.
Brandon Webb (7-4) allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings for Arizona. Chad Bradford (0-4) picked up the loss.
Devil Rays 7, Rockies 4
At Denver, Jonny Gomes hit a pair of two-run homers, Carlos Pena hit a solo shot into the third deck at Coors Field and Tampa Bay avoided a three-game sweep.
Scott Kazmir (5-3) went six innings, giving up three runs and six hits, for the Devil Rays.
Aaron Cook (4-4) gave up 10 hits and a season-high six runs.
Cardinals 10, Athletics 6
At Oakland, Calif., Ryan Ludwick hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning and drove in a career-high five runs, leading St. Louis to their first interleague series win in four tries this season.
Russ Springer (3-0) struck out two in a perfect sixth to win for the second time in as many days.
Astros 10, Mariners 3
At Houston, Mike Lamb hit a grand slam and drove in five runs and Houston completed a three-game sweep.
Roy Oswalt (7-4) picked up his first win since May 12. Jarrod Washburn (5-6) lasted just three innings in his shortest start of the season for the Mariners, who have lost five straight.
Royals 5, Marlins 4
At Kansas City, Mo., Brian Bannister (4-3) won his fourth consecutive start, Esteban German drove in the go-ahead run and Kansas City improved to 8-4 in interleague play.
Jeremy Hermida hit a two-run homer for the Marlins. Scott Olsen (5-6) got the loss.
Rangers 11, Reds 4
At Cincinnati, Kevin Millwood (3-6) got his first victory in two months, and Marlon Byrd hit his first homer in nearly a year and drove in three runs for Texas.
Adam Dunn homered twice for the Reds and Bronson Arroyo (2-8) matched his career high by losing his sixth straight decision.
National League
Padres 11, Cubs 3
At Chicago, Mike Cameron hit two homers and San Diego hit a season-high five to get the win.
Adrian Gonzalez, Khalil Greene and Rob Bowen also homered for San Diego, and Greg Maddux (6-3) picked up his 339th career win.
Rich Hill (5-5) lasted just three innings for Chicago, allowing five runs and five hits in his shortest outing this season.
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