Nineteen More Games

We listened to the Giants game this evening which marked the return of Barry Bonds to the lineup after being out all season. He sparked a two-run rally in the second inning with a near-home run that was changed to a ground rule double because of fan interference. (Will the people in the first row of the bleachers ever learn?) The Giants bats seemed to wake up immediately thereafter—we’re left to wonder what sort of season the Giants would have had if Bonds hadn’t been out seven-eighths of the season.

The season is winding down to an exciting finish. The Indians, A’s, and Yankees are all battling for the AL wild card spot, while the Red Sox have a 3 1/2 game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. In the National League, Florida and Houston are contending for the wild card, with Philadelphia just behind. The Marlins and Astros played today—the Marlins won behind the pitching and batting (he hit a home run) of their ace Dontrelle Willis.