tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13573165.post-1142796660341245572006-03-19T11:30:00.001-08:002006-03-19T11:31:42.050-08:0003/15/2006<br />SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Pitcher Brad Hennessey wouldn't mind if slugger Barry Bonds is in the lineup every time he pitches.<br />Hennessey picked up his first victory of the spring on Wednesday in a 10-6 verdict over the Milwaukee Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium. The Giants right-hander squirmed out of several jams and allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings.<br />Hennessey had the pressure off early, as San Francisco put up four runs in the first inning, with outfielder Steve Finley clubbing a three-run homer, and Bonds adding a double.<br />Bonds later departed the game following a booming three-run shot to the right-field picnic pavilion in the second inning.<br />Poor Barry. So old, so weak-kneed.<br />The 41-year-old Bonds is sizzling this spring -- he's 7-for-9 (.777) with three homers and six RBIs in only four games -- and he has yet to show signs of knee problems.<br />"It's amazing someone could be out on his front foot so much and still hit it as far as he does," said Hennessey. "He was strong enough to absolutely hammer it. It's nice to have him in the lineup, with the potential to go up top every at-bat.<br />"It's pretty impressive to come in and do what he does," said Hennessey, who's fighting with veteran Jamie Wright for the fifth starter's spot. Wright has thrown five scoreless innings of relief.<br />Hennessey is getting plenty of work -- he's pitched 12 1/3 innings over two starts and appears to be sharper with each outing.<br />"I feel pretty good," said Hennessey. "Obviously I'm not in midseason form and hitting all my spots all the time, but I feel good about how I've done so far and how I'm getting ahead of hitters. I'm going to keep chugging away."<br />Bonds was not talking to the media on Wednesday, but manager Felipe Alou admitted concern that opposing pitchers will have a defensive strategy facing Bonds during the regular season.<br />That means more rubber chickens -- signifying intentional walks -- hanging from that right-field wall at AT&T Park.<br />"I'm afraid for many reasons I don't want to discuss now," said Alou. "They won't give him pitches to hit."<br />Bonds won't make the hour-long ride to Surprise, Ariz., on Thursday when the Giants play the Texas Rangers, but he is expected to start in left field against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale on Friday.<br />Injury update: Giants closer Armando Benitez, who missed 3 1/2 months of action last season after ripping his right hamstring, has swelling in his left knee and will miss several days, according to trainer Stan Conte.<br />Benitez said he felt soreness in the knee while warming up for his relief stint against San Diego on Sunday -- he was rocked for six runs over a 36-pitch effort -- but pitched anyway.<br />"I didn't think it was serious," said Benitez, who had a cortisone shot to reduce the inflammation. "It was a mistake to go out there. Look what happened."<br />An MRI was taken, and the injury was diagnosed as an inflamed bursa sac. "He threw today in the back field and felt much better than yesterday," said Conte on Wednesday.<br />Benitez says he expects to be out three to four days.<br />"I heard it's not a big deal," said Alou. "It's not his bad knee. He'll be OK."<br />Also expected to miss a few days is infielder Jose Vizcaino, dealing with a minor right squad strain for the second time this spring. The 38-year-old Vizcaino has played in seven Cactus League games.<br />Finley still torrid: Finley has blasted two homers, driven in five runs and played excellent defense. At 41 years and three days old, Finley seems to be on his first legs, not his last.<br />"Finley will never be an old guy, not with that body," said Alou.<br />The 17-year big-league veteran says he's usually "all over the place" with his spring swing but discussions with Bonds have kept it in a groove.<br />"He's helped me a lot, talking about the swing and different approaches," said Finley, hitting .444. "It's been a big help -- just to be able to apply that and make a good pass every time. Even if I do make an out, it feels like a good swing."<br /><br />Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587134747234821796noreply@blogger.com