Blue Jays Stop Bonds, Giants, 6-5
TORONTO — Corey Thurman will never forget who he beat for his first major league victory.
Thurman pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and Raul Mondesi hit a two-run homer for the Toronto Blue Jays, who won their fifth in a row with a 6-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night.
“I’m walking on cloud nine right now,” Thurman said. “It was amazing. I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life because my first major league win came against Barry Bonds and the Giants. Bonds is one of the greatest players to ever play this game. I’ve been idolizing him since I was a kid.”
Bonds, who put on a show during batting practice, went 0 for 4 with a walk.
“I made sure I was out to watch batting practice. It was crazy,” Thurman said.
Bonds hit a ball off SkyDome’s hotel in batting practice. He also hit balls into the fifth deck in right field, off the Hard Rock Cafe in right and into the Sightlines restaurant in center field.
“We pitched him away all game long,” reliever Kelvim Escobar said.
Toronto has won 10 of 11 and is 7-1 under new Manager Carlos Tosca.
Toronto starter Esteban Loaiza gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings, but the Giants managed only two hits against four relievers.
Thurman (1-1), Scott Cassidy and Scott Eyre shut down the Giants before Escobar retired four batters for his 13th save. He struck out Bonds with one out and the tying run on first in the ninth.
“I was on my game tonight,” Escobar said. “When I’m on, I’m on. I can face anybody.”
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