Phoenix – Love him or loathe him, Barry Bonds forces people to pay attention. The San Francisco Giants slugger arrives in town tonight just 19 home runs shy of eclipsing Hank Aaron’s all-time record of 755.
Coors Field always has been kind to Bonds, who has hit .341 with 25 home runs and 61 RBIs at the park. Teams have been more aggressive against Bonds, 42, this season. He has only received one intentional walk, compared to four through his first nine games last season. He has three home runs in 29 at-bats.
“You’d be dumb to say you are not aware when he’s up: a big guy standing right on top of the plate,” said tonight’s Rockies starter Jeff Francis, against whom Bonds is 5-for-11 with one home run. “You hope he hits the ball on the ground somewhere.”
Added Jason Hirsh, Tuesday’s starter who never has faced Bonds, “He’s hit homers off 435 pitchers, so staying out of the record books is the whole goal.”
TONIGHT, 6:35 p.m., FSN
Starter: Jeff Francis (1-0, 2.84 ERA)
TUESDAY, 6:35 p.m., FSN
Starter: Jason Hirsh (1-1, 3.09 ERA)
