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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – At first, Barry Bonds didn't realize he'd
hit his 500th home run. Time stopped. The ball froze.
|  | | Barry Bonds gets a hug from Giants manager Dusty Baker after hitting his 500th career home run – a home run that beat the Dodgers 3-2. |
"When I hit it, I couldn't believe I hit it. Everything was in
slow motion. It looked like it was stopped in midair," he said.
He looked up at the fans sitting behind right-field wall.
"Then I saw it went past those people and I thought, 'Wow! I
did it!' "
Bonds became the 17th major leaguer to hit 500 home runs, and
probably the first to do it with a splash.
His two-run, eighth-inning drive off Terry Adams (0-1) went into
San Francisco Bay and led the Giants over the Los Angeles Dodgers
3-2 Tuesday night.
Bond jumped several times, then rounded the bases. He jumped on
home plate with both feet as Pacific Bell Park sparkled with
sparkling flashbulbs.
Bonds embraced Rich Aurilia, who tripled to start the inning,
and his father, former major leaguer Bobby Bonds. His wife Liz ran
to his arms.
The left-field fence opened up and former Giants Willie Mays and
Willie McCovey – also members of the 500 club – were whisked by a
golf cart to a ceremony at home plate.
"First of all, I'd like to thank my parents for having me," a
breathless Bonds told the crowd. "I want to thank Willie Mays for
being here and Willie McCovey. Most of all, thanks to all of you, I
love you and I'm proud to be in a San Francisco Giants' uniform."
In left field, the wall was peeled back to reveal the words
"Bonds 500" in tall orange letters.
Mays, Bonds' godfather, hit 660 homers, third on the career list
behind Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714). McCovey is 11th with
521.
"He has a flair for the dramatic," McCovey said.
A man in an inflatable power boat scooped up the ball with a
net.
The fans had been waiting for this all night.
The crowd cheered deafeningly for every Bonds' at-bat, waved
orange rally towels passed out before the game, and chanted
"Barry! Barry!"
Those in the outfield bleachers and along the top of the
right-field wall would rise in anticipation of each Bonds'
appearance. The walkway outside the wall – edging McCovey Cove – was packed with fans hoping to snag No. 500. The cove was filled
with boats, and even a man in a wetsuit floating on a surfboard.
Bonds struck out in his first at-bat. In the third inning, his
shot to left field was grabbed by Gary Sheffield just in front of
the wall.
Adams said the pitch to Bonds was a 2-0 slider.
"First of all, I could care less about Barry Bonds' achievements," Adams said. "All I worry about is winning and
losing a game. That's all I care about."
Bonds is the first player to reach 500 homers since Mark McGwire
did it in 1999.
The 36-year outfielder was the eighth quickest to hit 500,
reaching it in 7,501 at-bats. McGwire did it the fastest, in 5,487
at-bats.
Bonds, a three-time MVP, has 324 home runs since coming to San
Francisco as a free agent before the 1993 season. He hit 176 with
Pittsburgh.
The nine-time All-Star had started this season 0-for-21 before
homering in five straight games, a career high.
Bonds hit No. 499 in the fourth inning Sunday off David Weathers
in the Brewers' brand-new Miller Park. Bonds has homered in 24
major league ballparks.
"You go up there and you feel like you're on stage by
yourself," Bonds said. "It's nerve-racking. I'm really glad it's
over."
It was the ninth home run to land in McCovey Cove. Bonds has hit
seven – all of the Giants' splash hits.
Felix Rodriguez (1-0) pitched the eighth, striking out two for
the win. Robb Nen got his third save.
Sheffield's double-play grounder in the first inning off Shawn Estes scored Marquis Grissom and Sheffield put the Dodgers
ahead 2-1 in the fifth with a sacrifice fly.
Jeff Kent had an RBI single in the first off Darren Dreifort,
who gave up four hits in 6 1-3 innings and struck out six.
Estes allowed two runs and nine hits in six innings and struck
out eight.
Game notes
Andy Ashby of the Dodgers will miss his scheduled start
Wednesday because of a strained muscle. ... Eric Davis, who was not
in the Giants' lineup Tuesday, needs two more stolen bases to reach
350 for his career. ... Jeff Kent needs two more home runs to reach
200 for his career. ... The Giants are 4-0 at home. ... Dodgers C
Paul LoDuca was 2-for-4 and has hit safely in nine games. ...
Grissom is now 6-for-12 against Estes.
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Bonds by the Numbers
RECAPS
Cleveland 8
Baltimore 1
Detroit 7
Chi. White Sox 4
Toronto 6
NY Yankees 5
Boston 10
Tampa Bay 0
Minnesota 6
Kansas City 5
Oakland 5
Anaheim 1
Seattle 6
Texas 4
Philadelphia 6
Chicago Cubs 3
Cincinnati 3
Milwaukee 2
Houston 0
Pittsburgh 0
NY Mets 4
Montreal 0
Florida 3
Atlanta 2
Arizona 17
St. Louis 4
Colorado 9
San Diego 5
San Francisco 3
Los Angeles 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Barry Bonds puts home run number 500 into McCovey Cove and into the record books (Courtesy: KTVU).
avi: 3510 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
After the game, Barry Bonds talked about joining the exclusive 500-club.
RealVideo: | 28.8
 Barry Bonds describes the moment he hit No. 500 and makes sure to thank the San Francisco fans.
wav: 295 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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