Los Angeles – An hour before fans began arriving at sold-out Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, Russell Martin made a not-so-bold prediction regarding Barry Bonds.
“I’m sure there will be two or three fans applauding him, and the other 50,000 will boo him,” the Dodgers catcher said.
Russell exaggerated, but he caught the spirit of the occasion.
As Bonds’ quest to pass Hank Aaron and set baseball’s all-time home run record continued, and with commissioner Bud Selig in attendance, Los Angeles fans let Bonds have it at every opportunity.
They booed him when he was introduced, jeered him when he struck out on three pitches in the first inning and cheered when he made a weak throw from left field in the second inning. Anti-Bonds chants erupted in the stands from time to time.
When all the hoopla died down, Bonds was 0-for-2 with two walks but no home runs. But the Giants got the last laugh, beating the Dodgers 3-1.
L.A. right-handed starter Brad Penny whiffed Bonds on a check swing in the first inning, intentionally walked him to set up a double play in the third and walked him on five pitches in the sixth. Bonds came around to score the game-winning run on Pedro Feliz’s single.
In the seventh, left-handed reliever Joe Beimel induced Bonds to pop up to shallow left field, but shortstop Rafael Furcal dropped the ball and was charged with an error. Bonds immediately was replaced by pinch-runner Fred Lewis.
Bonds needs one home run to tie Aaron’s record of 755 and two to break it.
As jazzed as Dodgers fans were to vilify Bonds – he’s chasing the record under the persistent cloud of allegations of illegal drug use – they also sent a mixed message. Whenever Bonds came to the plate, cameras flashed as fans tried to catch a piece of history.
“There’s quite a history between the Giants and the Dodgers, but I’m guessing they will show Barry their appreciation if he hits one here,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
L.A. manager Grady Little said the Dodgers would pitch smart to Bonds throughout the three-game series, but would not avoid challenging him. Pressed about whether he believed Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs, Little toed the line.
“If he was, there’s a good chance that other players were, too, and some of them were pitchers,” Little said.
Although increased security was visible, especially in the stands around Bonds in left field, the scene at Dodger Stadium was not ugly. Dodgers officials said they were making every effort to ensure the ballpark had a “family atmosphere.” Signs and banners are banned at the ballpark, and fans’ attire is scrutinized. Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said any T-shirts considered in “poor taste” would not be allowed.
But the boos will continue.
“We are rivals and Barry is the biggest icon on their team, so anytime fans get a chance to boo him, they are going to boo him,” Martin said.
Tonight’s 8:10 p.m. game and Thursday’s series finale are sold out.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
