 07/06/2002 7:14 pm ET
Bonds hits first HR off Big Unit
By Rich Draper / MLB.com
PHOENIX -- Giants outfielder Barry Bonds snapped a nine-game homerless streak with his 26th round-tripper of the season Saturday off Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson in the sixth inning at Bank One Ballpark.
It was Bonds' first-ever home run off the Big Unit. The blow to the center-field overhang traveled 417 feet. The Giants eventually defeated the Diamondbacks, 3-2.
Bonds, fourth all-time with 593 homers, hadn't hit one in 33 at-bats -- his longest drought this year -- with his last homer coming June 25 off San Diego's Kevin Pickford.
Bonds, third in the National League this year, needs only seven homers to reach the elite 600-homer club. His godfather, Willie Mays, has 660 lifetime homers. This season, the slugger has passed Frank Robinson (586), Mark McGwire (583) and Harmon Killebrew (573) on the best-ever list.
Saturday, Bonds grounded out in the first inning, walked in the fourth, then powered a 2-0 Johnson pitch for his homer, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead.
In the eighth, Mike Myers got Bonds to strike out swinging, and Mike Koplove induced a popup from the slugger in the ninth.
Rich Draper covers the Diamondbacks for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
|
News
