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The
San Francisco Giants
look to win a third straight game as they open a four-game series against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres Thursday, but
the game could be overshadowed by a possible indictment against Giants slugger
Barry Bonds
.
Bonds faces possible federal grand jury indictment charges - which could be disclosed as soon as Thursday - stemming from
the government's investigation into whether he used steroids or committed perjury in testifying on the subject in 2003.
Bonds, whose 721 career home runs are 34 shy of
Hank Aaron
's all-time record 755, dismissed queries from reporters about his possible indictment after Wednesday's 7-6 win over the
Milwaukee Brewers
.
''See you later,'' Bonds said. ''Have fun.''
Following a 10-1 defeat to Milwaukee on Monday, the Giants (48-47) posted a pair of one-run victories to win their first series
since last month. San Francisco rallied from a four-run deficit Wednesday with the aid of a two-run homer by second baseman
Ray Durham
.
''The win is a huge lift,'' Durham said. ''If we (had) lost with the first-place Padres coming in, it would've been a struggle.''
San Francisco has lost five of eight meetings with San Diego (50-44) this season.
After taking a five-game winning streak into the All-Star break, the Padres are 2-4 in six games since. They lost to the Phillies
5-4 Wednesday when closer
Trevor Hoffman
recorded his second blown save in his last three chances.
''I'm just making some bad pitches out over the plate in some tough situations,'' said Hoffman, who also squandered a save
opportunity for the NL in the All-Star game.
Padres right-hander
Chan Ho Park
(6-5, 4.49 ERA) has lost two of his last four starts. Park is 7-7 with a 4.96 career ERA in 21 games against the Giants, although
he has not earned a decision against San Francisco since earning a win on Sept. 25, 2001, when he pitched for the
Los Angeles Dodgers
.
He last faced the Giants in the Padres' 6-5 win June 30, failing to get a decision but lasting eight innings, allowing five
runs and seven hits including three homers.
''He saved us,'' Bochy said of Park. ''He didn't get the win, but he helped us win.''
Bonds is 12-for-43 (.279) in his career against Park, but seven of the 12 hits were homers and two others were doubles, making
his slugging percentage .814 against the right-hander. Durham, who has homered in five of his last eight games overall, is
5-for-13 (.385) with one homer and three doubles lifetime versus Park.
Giants left-hander
Noah Lowry
(4-6, 4.58) opposes Park Thursday.
Lowry is 2-1 with a 3.64 career ERA in eight games - six starts- against the Padres. He last faced them on Sept. 29 at Petco
Park, pitching six shutout innings but not recording a decision in San Francisco's 11-inning, 1-0 defeat.
Lowry endured one of his worst starts of the season last Saturday, allowing six runs and six hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 14-6
loss to the Phillies.
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