May 25, 2002
DENVER (AP) - If Barry Bonds was excited about passing Mark McGwire on the career home run list, the San Francisco slugger sure didn't show it.
"I have no thoughts," Bonds said. "We lost. There is no satisfaction in losing."
Bonds hit his 584th homer to move into sole possession of fifth place, but Terry Shumpert's three-run shot lifted the Colorado Rockies over the Giants 6-3 Saturday.
Bonds connected off Colorado starter Denny Neagle in the fourth inning, driving the first pitch into the left-center seats for his 17th homer of the season. Bonds trails Frank Robinson by two homers for fourth place all-time.
"That was a bright spot," San Francisco manager Dusty Baker said. "A bright spot on a dark afternoon."
The Rockies have won five straight to move above .500 (25-24) for the first time since April 4.
Neagle departed after four innings after being hit on the left knee by Benito Santiago's line drive. The left-hander scrambled to the ball and threw out Santiago to end the inning, then was helped to the dugout by two teammates.
Neagle has a bruised left kneecap. X-rays did not reveal a fracture or any serious damage.
"I am sore, but I have no doubt I will make my next start," Neagle said. "I had the presence of mind to throw out Santiago, wanted to continue playing, but thought better of it."
Chris Nichting (1-1) came on and allowed one run and two hits in two innings for the win. Jose Jimenez pitched the ninth for his 13th save in as many chances.
Larry Walker added a two-run single for the Rockies.
Kirk Rueter (6-2) gave up six runs and nine hits in six innings to lose for the first time since April 11. Rueter had won six straight decisions.
Colorado led 3-0 after three innings. Opposite-field doubles by Juan Pierre and Juan Uribe produced a run in the first inning, and Walker drove in two with a one-out single in the third.
Bonds' homer cut it to 3-1. He finished 1-for-4, and Ramon Martinez had two RBI doubles for the Giants.
San Francisco managed only two hits off Neagle, but added a run on two hits in the fifth inning against Nichting. Reggie Sanders reached on an infield single and, after Damon Minor walked, Martinez doubled to right to score Sanders.
The Rockies increased their lead to 6-2 with Shumpert's two-out, three-run homer to left in the fifth inning. Rueter retired the first two batters, but Todd Helton singled and Todd Zeile doubled ahead of Shumpert's home run.
"This was so satisfying because I was 0-for-9 against Rueter," Shumpert said. "I wanted to play because I wanted to prove the numbers wrong."
Martinez's second RBI double cut the lead to 6-3 in the seventh against Dennys Reyes.
"This was some day, when you consider what our bullpen did and Shumpert," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "Here is a guy who proved you can't always count on what the computer spits out."
Notes:Three days after surgery on his right elbow, Giants SS Rich Aurilia threw on the side with trainer Stan Conte. ... With a left-hander pitching, slumping 1B J.T. Snow (3-for-36) was out of the starting lineup for San Francisco. ... Santiago has an 11-game hitting streak. ... Colorado RHP Shawn Chacon will throw on the side Monday and have a 75-pitch rehab assignment start Wednesday for Triple-A Colorado Springs. ... The Coors Field crowd cheered after each Colorado Avalanche goal in an NHL playoff game against the Detroit Red Wings was posted on the scoreboard.