Photo Forty something crew leads Giants to victory

By Jeremy Kahn

July 14, 2006
From left, San Francisco Giants center fielder Steve Finley, left fielder Barry Bonds, and right fielder Moises Alou are greeted by their teammates after the Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies in San Francisco, Friday July 14, 2006. The Giants won the game, 5-3. Bondsand Steve Finley, both 41, and Moises Alou, who turned 40 on July 3, became the first trio of 40-year-olds in baseball history to start in the same outfield. They combined to go 4-for-11 with two stolen bases and two runs scored. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
 



SAN FRANCISCO-Who would ever think you would see all three starting outfielders over the tender age of 40? Well it occurred, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 before 38,009 at AT&T Park.

It was the first time in major league history that the three starting outfielders were all over the four-decade mark in age. Barry Bonds, who will turn 42 on July 24 walked twice and stole his second base of the season. Bonds also made a sliding catch in left field.

"It's good he can be aggressive," said Ray Durham. "It put us in a tremendous advantage. The pitch I took was right down the middle. When I saw him go I thought, 'What are you doing?' The next time he was on they had to hold him and that helped me."

Along with Bonds, 41-year old Steve Finley and 40-year old Moises Alou went a combined 4-for-11 at the plate with two stolen bases and two runs scored.

Durham hit his fifth home run in 11 games, as the Giants moved into a second place tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Ryan Howard smashed his 29th home run of the season, a two-run shot just out of the reach of Finley in left-center field.

Matt Morris pitched an outstanding game, despite giving up the home run to Howard. Morris pitched six strong innings, allowing six hits, striking out four on his way to his fifth consecutive victory.

"The last game in Philly I was behind every guy so I tried to stay ahead and see what I could do," said Morris. "It was timely hitting for me to get the win. When the bullpen comes in and strikes people out like that there's not a lot of chance for error."

Armando Benitez picked up his 11th save in 15 chances, as he came on in the top of the ninth inning, replacing Steve Kline.

The quartet of Jonathan Sanchez, Jeremy Accardo, Kline and Benitez pitched masterfully, as they struck out seven of the 10 batters that strutted to the plate.

 

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