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Earth shakes, Braves lose to Giants in extended game

Posted 2:17AM on Tuesday 14th May 2002 ( 22 years ago )
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - An earthquake jolted Pacific Bell Park during the ninth inning, and Jeff Kent drew a bases-loaded walk in the 11th Monday night to lift the San Francisco Giants over the Atlanta Braves 7-6.

The game was not stopped as glass panes in the front of the press box rattled with Atlanta's Chipper Jones batting with one out in the ninth. There was no noticeable reaction from the players or the crowd of 36,331.

Moments after the earthquake, the Braves scored twice to tie it at 6.

Barry Bonds hit his 580th career home run as the Giants won for the ninth time in 11 games.

With one out in the Giants' 11th, Ramon Martinez singled, Rich Aurilia doubled and Bonds drew an intentional walk to load the bases. Chris Hammond (1-2) walked Kent on a full count.

Tim Worrell (3-0) got the win.

Down 6-4, the Braves tied it in the ninth against Robb Nen on two-out, RBI singles by Vinny Castilla and Javy Lopez.

The Giants took the lead in the eighth. Reggie Sanders tripled and scored on Benito Santiago's tiebreaking single, and Tom Goodwin added an RBI single.

Bonds' two-run homer, his 13th this season, came in the third inning off Kevin Millwood and landed in McCovey Cove, beyond the right-field wall.

Bonds has connected in five of his last eight games, putting him three home runs behind Mark McGwire for fifth place on the all-time list.

Giants starter Kirk Rueter went a season-low five innings, allowing a season-high four runs and nine hits. He walked four and struck out one.

Millwood pitched 5 2-3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. He left the game after walking Bell to load the bases. Kevin Gryboski got Santiago to ground out to end the threat.

Notes: Braves SS Rafael Furcal was out of the lineup with a sore shoulder. He pinch-ran in the eighth. ... The Braves scored first for the first time in seven games. ... The Giants began a stretch in which they play 14 of the next 19 games at home. ... Giants RHP Jason Schmidt changed his uniform number to 29 from 22. ... Goodwin stole his first two bases of the year in the third, giving him 331 for his career, 12th among active players. ... Bonds' homer was the first to land in McCovey Cove this year. He has 16 of the 18 hit there overall.

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