Ailing Bonds get first hits of spring

Although Barry Bonds is still dragging from the flu, he was strong enough to get his first hits of spring training in what might be his new spot in the San Francisco Giants' batting order.

Bonds went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs in an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, the slugger's first game action since his spring debut four days ago.

"I'm behind a little bit," said Bonds, who was winded and weary while still shaking off his illness. "I just wanted to really see pitches. I wasn't really going to swing _ just actually see pitches and be out there. I was fighting (the flu), but I had fun."

The longtime cleanup hitter batted third as the Giants' designated hitter against the Angels, and manager Bruce Bochy said Bonds probably will stay in that spot through the spring and beyond. Bonds, who persevered despite getting dizzy while running the bases, seems excited about his new skipper's plan.

"That's something I'm going to do for a while here in the spring, maybe get a look at it," Bochy said. "You give him one more at-bat. You get him up definitely in the first inning, maybe allow him to get an extra at-bat later in the game, but also get him off his legs a little bit, maybe 40 or 50 innings when he hits in the eighth and I can throw somebody out there (as a ninth-inning defensive replacement)."

From 1995 until late June 2002, Bonds was the Giants' No. 3 hitter 900 times _ roughly 86 percent of his appearances, including most of his record 73-homer campaign in 2001. Since moving into the cleanup spot three months before San Francisco's run to the 2002 World Series, Bonds has batted third for the Giants just 32 times _ only 7 percent of his games.

But Bonds is optimistic about the possible move, chiefly because the Giants have Dave Roberts in the leadoff spot this season. The slugger thinks San Francisco hasn't had a leadoff hitter with Roberts' speed and ability since Kenny Lofton was in uniform for that World Series run.

Bonds thinks Roberts will help him by stealing bases and causing havoc for opponents _ even if it also opens up more chances for fearful pitchers to add to Bonds' major league record of 645 intentional walks.

"For me to (hit third), I need somebody who wants to run," Bonds said. "Me and Dave have got to get out on the field together first, (but) there's a lot of open doors in that situation."

The change is still in the experimental stages _ as is Bonds' evaluation of several new models of his favorite Canadian maple bats. The seven-time NL MVP says he won't know anything for certain about the upcoming season and his chase of Hank Aaron's home run record until he gets back to full strength.

"My legs feel a lot better," Bonds said. "I'm still slow as hell, but my legs feel good. I just started eating again. I hadn't eaten for two days, except drinking soup."

Bonds went 0-for-2 in the Giants' spring opener last Friday, but was soon sidelined by the flu that ravaged San Francisco's roster in recent weeks. He stayed home in bed on Saturday and Sunday, and returned only for a brief batting practice session Monday after most of his teammates had left the Giants' training complex for a game in Tucson.

Though still coughing on Tuesday morning, Bonds felt strong enough to pick up his bats. Unless he feels a whole lot worse Wednesday morning, he plans to play again at the Seattle Mariners' complex in Peoria _ making a rare road trip to get his 42-year-old body closer to game shape.

Bonds worked a full count in his first-inning at-bat against Angels starter Joe Saunders before drawing a walk.

In the third, he hit a 2-2 fastball to Maicer Izturis, who was playing on the grass behind second base _ but Bonds actually hustled down the line and beat Izturis' high throw for a single. Bonds advanced to second before getting doubled off base on Rich Aurilia's sharp liner to shortstop.

Bonds' groundout in the fourth scored Frederick Lewis, who drove in two runs earlier in San Francisco's four-run inning.

Against non-roster right-hander Marc Gwyn in the sixth, Bonds took two called strikes before hitting a liner into left field, where Nick Gorneault got the ball in his glove, but couldn't hang on.

Bonds abruptly slid into second base to beat the throw, then got an ovation as he left the field for pinch-runner Travis Ishikawa. Bonds huffed and puffed while gingerly making his way to the dugout, and still hadn't fully caught his breath 15 minutes later in the Giants' clubhouse.

Bonds said he beat out the third-inning grounder and slid hard in the sixth "just so you (reporters) don't write I don't hustle, that's all."

Bonds' plan to take a road trip indicates he's serious about getting into form quickly as his pursuit of Aaron's home run record likely enters its final months. Bonds has 734 homers, 22 shy of surpassing the hallowed mark.

"Most of the time in spring training, I get off really hot, and then I start (the season) slow," Bonds said. "This year, I can reverse it."

Todd Linden went 3-for-3 for the Giants to improve his spring batting average to .571. Nate Schierholtz added two of San Francisco's 13 hits, including an RBI triple in the first inning against Saunders.

Reggie Willits had two hits for the reserve-dominated Angels squad, which managed three early runs off Giants starter Matt Cain. San Francisco's No. 2 starter yielded four hits in 2 2-3 innings, but Bochy was pleased with his control.

Notes:@ Giants 2B Ray Durham was back at work after missing three days with a particularly nasty case of the flu. The veteran didn't play, but hopes to return to the lineup Wednesday in either of the Giants' split-squad games. ... Giants closer Armando Benitez looked strong while throwing 20 pitches in minor league camp, Bochy said. It's another step in Benitez's comeback from two arthritic knees and that same flu. ... Top prospect Tim Lincecum will make his first appearance of the spring in San Francisco's game against Milwaukee, while RHP Matt Morris will travel with Bonds to face the Mariners. ... The Giants assigned RHP Justin Hedrick, RHP Oscar Montero, C Steve Holm, C Todd Jennings, OF Ben Copeland, OF Brian Horwitz, OF Eddy Martinez-Esteve and OF Clay Timpner to minor league camp. San Francisco also optioned Ishikawa to Triple-A Fresno after the game.