Martinez Stops Bonds but Not Giants

Pedro Martinez went right after Barry Bonds in the most anticipated matchup of the most anticipated series on San Francisco’s schedule.

Yet it was a botched fielding play by Bonds that nearly cost the Giants the game.

However, Edgardo Alfonzo hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer with two out in the eighth inning to lead the Giants over the Boston Red Sox, 6-4, on Saturday at San Francisco.

Alfonzo connected on a 1-1 pitch from Alan Embree (2-1) for his fourth homer of the year and the first of his career as a pinch-hitter to break a 4-4 tie. Matt Herges (3-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win despite blowing his fourth save.

The Red Sox pleased the sellout crowd of 42,499 by pitching to Bonds in a meeting of the six-time NL most valuable player and Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Bonds finished 0 for 4 with a strikeout, flyout, popout and groundout.

“We wanted to get him out,” Manager Terry Francona said. “This game is about more than one person.”

Bonds came in hitting .367 lifetime with a home run against Martinez.

“To be honest, I used everything,” said Martinez, who gave up four runs and six hits and struck out six in six innings. “I just got away with it today. He’s the best in the game and I respect him. It doesn’t mean I’m a superman. He’s the best and he can get me any time.”

The Red Sox tied it in the eighth to get Martinez off the hook.

Boston loaded the bases against Jim Brower after singles by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez and a walk to Gabe Kapler. Herges entered with two out to face pinch-hitter Trot Nixon, who hit a two-run, bloop single to left-center.

Bonds, in left field, and center fielder Marquis Grissom both hustled to the ball, which fell between the players. Bonds misplayed the hop for an error that allowed the tying run -- Kapler -- to score.

Chicago Cubs 4, Oakland 3 -- Michael Barrett’s two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Cubs a victory at Chicago.

Chad Bradford (3-4) suffered the A’s 13th blown save this season.

Texas 7, Florida 6 -- Eric Young drove in three runs, Kevin Mench hit a two-run homer and the Rangers held on to win at Miami.

The Rangers led, 5-0, and, 7-3, before Florida’s late rally.

N.Y. Mets 4, Detroit 3 -- Jose Reyes’ 10th-inning triple set up Mike Cameron’s second game-winning hit in two nights to lead the Mets at New York.

Tampa Bay 11, Arizona 4 -- Tino Martinez drove in five runs with a homer and a double at Phoenix to power the Devil Rays to their 10th consecutive victory.

San Diego 3, Toronto 2 -- Trevor Hoffman earned his 367th career save to tie Jeff Reardon for fourth on the career list and the Padres rallied behind Brian Giles’ tying single and Ryan Klesko’s go-ahead double in the eighth inning at San Diego to end their six-game losing streak.

Atlanta 4, Cleveland 0 -- Paul Byrd pitched seven shutout innings in his first start since 2002, and Eli Marrero and Julio Franco hit two-run homers to lead the Braves at Atlanta. Byrd had elbow surgery last July.

Colorado 11, Baltimore 6 -- Preston Wilson drove in four runs in his second game since coming off the disabled list and Jeff Fassero threw five-plus solid innings to win for the first time in nearly a year and lead the Rockies at Denver.

Milwaukee 7, Minnesota 6 -- Geoff Jenkins hit a tiebreaking homer leading off the eighth inning and the Brewers rallied from a five-run deficit to win at Milwaukee.

Seattle 5, Pittsburgh 1 -- Joel Pineiro (3-8) limited the Pirates to one run over eight innings in his second straight strong start and Rich Aurilia drove in three runs to lead the Mariners at Pittsburgh.

Philadelphia 4, Kansas City 2 -- Jim Thome hit his major league-leading 21st homer, Eric Milton earned his ninth win and the Phillies defeated the Royals at Philadelphia.

Milton (9-1) gave up six hits and tied a season high with eight strikeouts in tying Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Kenny Rogers for the most wins in the majors.

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Cleveland Indian pitcher Cliff Lee was suspended for six games for throwing behind Ken Griffey Jr.’s head in a game last Sunday. Lee appealed the suspension.