Washburn has never faced Bonds outside of spring training, but turning serious, he said : " I'll challenge him, but I'm not going to be stupid.
32.
And pitchers are discovering the hard way just how dangerous it is to face Bonds as he once again pursues the title of best player in baseball.
33.
Schoeneweis could be called upon in a close-game, late-inning situation to face Bonds, much as he was with Jason Giambi in the division series against the Yankees.
34.
Of course, the Dodgers face Bonds themselves for three games next week before concluding the season with those three winner-take-all games versus the Padres at Dodger Stadium.
35.
After Rich Aurilia was hit by Steve Reed ( 0-1 ) leading off the 10th, and Padres manager Bruce Bochy brought in left-hander Alan Embree to face Bonds.
36.
This weekend with the San Diego Padres at Pac Bell Park provides a fascinating study in images, with fan-and press-favorite Tony Gwynn facing Bonds for the last time.
37.
Milwaukee manager Ned Yost was criticized locally at the time-- " People called me a dope, " he said-- but his philosophy in facing Bonds has apparently not changed.
38.
After Edgardo Alfonzo singled in the eighth, Braves manager Bobby Cox brought in left-handed reliever Tom Martin to face Bonds, who took a called third strike to end the inning.
39.
"It's fun because if you beat those guys you know you're beating the best, " said Looper, who has faced Bonds three times and given up one hit with a strikeout.
40.
It is no wonder that last week, when Milwaukee manager Ned Yost spoke with his pitchers about facing Bonds, he instructed them : " Get the guys out in front of him.
