Monday, April 29, 2002
Casey hot over Giants' purpose pitch
By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI — The San Francisco Giants were coasting to a slump-busting victory when a pitch sailed over Barry Bonds' head.
They couldn't let it go unanswered, even if it meant putting the lead at risk.
Sean Casey was hit by a retaliation pitch, sparking anger and a Cincinnati rally that came up just short. The Giants held on for a 5-4 victory Sunday that ended the Reds' winning streak, but not their hard feelings.
“That's as mad as I've ever been,” Casey said.
The Giants weren't about to apologize.
“I'm glad Casey's not hurt, but you've got to wonder about the ball that went over Barry's head,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Sooner or later, you've got to stop someone from throwing at Barry.”
Bonds was hit on the foot and had to jump out of the way of several pitches during the three-game series. The Giants didn't complain, but didn't forget, either.
They were on the verge of ending the Reds' seven-game winning streak when one pitch made them decide they'd had enough.
Reggie Sanders and Benito Santiago hit solo homers through a gusty wind that sent paper wrappers cartwheeling across the infield, and Kirk Rueter (3-1) overcame control problems to keep the Giants up 3-1 heading into the eighth.
Leading off the inning was Bonds, who had singled, walked and grounded out against Jimmy Haynes (2-3). Left-hander Gabe White threw a pitch over his head, and Bonds ducked.
Bonds then grounded out and headed for the dugout. J.T. Snow's RBI double off White made it 4-1 later in the inning.
Casey led off the Reds' eighth against Felix Rodriguez, whose first-pitch fastball smacked him hard on the back of the upper arm as he turned away.
Casey slammed down his batting helmet and yelled at Rodriguez as the benches and bullpens emptied.
“If you're going to hit me, hit me in the butt, hit me in the lower leg, hit me in the back,” Casey said. “I just got hit in the head and it knocked me out cold. It's scary.”
Philadelphia's Robert Person hit Casey in the helmet with a pitch on April 13, leaving him with a concussion and first-time questions about what his wife and 6-month-old son would do if he was seriously hurt.
All of those worries rushed back when Rodriguez's pitch zeroed in.
“Enough is enough,” Casey said emphatically. “I've got a little kid at home and a wife. Sometimes you have to take care of things yourself.”
Bonds declined to talk after the game, but the Giants didn't hide the fact that the pitch had a purpose.
“They hit Barry last year about 10 times, and Barry never says anything to the pitchers,” Rodriguez said, referring to the nine times Bonds was hit overall in his 73-homer season. “Sometimes you have to take care of your hitters. We play like a team.”
From that point on, so did the Reds.
Adam Dunn followed with a two-run homer, and the Reds loaded the bases with two outs. Robb Nen got Barry Larkin on a routine fly ball to end the eighth.
After Bonds was intentionally walked and Jeff Kent singled home a run in the top of the ninth, Dunn homered again in the bottom of the inning before Nen closed it out for his sixth save.
It wasn't entirely over.
Asked about Casey's reaction to getting hit, Rodriguez said, “He can do whatever he wants. Sometimes if they want to cry, you've got to let them cry.”
Casey's temper flashed again when the remarks were relayed.
“Why doesn't he come over here and say those quotes?” he said. “If he's got problems, tell him to talk to me in San Francisco.”
That's where they'll play next weekend.
Notes: The Giants went 5-7 on their trip. ... Bonds' only homer on the trip was April 17 in San Diego. He's gone 24 at-bats without one. His 30 walks lead the majors. ... Rueter won all three of his starts on the trip. He's 8-1 career against the Reds, 6-0 at Cinergy Field. ... Reds OF Ken Griffey Jr. was supposed to run Sunday for the first time since hurting his right knee, but the field was too wet. There's no timetable for his return from a torn patella tendon. “If we have a definitive date when he'll be back, we'll tell you,” general manager Jim Bowden said. “Believe me, when he's ready, he'll be out there. When it's dry, we'll run him.” Griffey hurt the knee in a rundown on April 7 and is getting daily therapy. ... The Reds have gone 13-6 since Griffey got hurt.
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Casey hot over Giants' purpose pitch
