Plumber scoops up Bonds’ home run ball
In San Diego, a self-proclaimed San Diego Padres fan scooped up Barry Bonds’ record-tying home run ball by standing behind the scrum of fans diving for a piece of history.
“I’m pretty ecstatic,” said Adam Hughes, a 33-year-old plumber from suburban La Jolla. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Did he ever.
Bonds hit No. 755 Saturday night, tying him with Hank Aaron as baseball’s most prolific home run hitter. He sent a fastball from San Diego’s Clay Hensley the opposite way into the lower left-field seats at Petco Park to lead off the second inning.
“I was kind of rooting for it,” Hughes said. “As Barry Bonds said, records are made to be broken. It was quite an accomplishment.”
The ball clanged off an advertising sign attached to the upper deck and fell into the seats below.
“I saw it hit above me and came down on the ground,” a still dazed Hughes said. “I was at the back of the pile. I pretty much jumped up and said, ‘I got it!’ “
The ball traveled an estimated 382 feet in the direction of Hughes, who was in the front row with his cousin Justin Marquardt.
The specially marked ball was immediately authenticated by major league officials.
Hensley demoted
It was No. 755 and out for Clay Hensley.
The San Diego Padres right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Portland on Sunday, a day after serving up the home run that allowed Barry Bonds to tie Hank Aaron’s all-time record.
The demotion had nothing to with Bonds’ historic shot. San Diego’s bullpen was taxed after two straight extra-inning games, and the Padres needed a fresh arm, which it got by promoting right-hander Mike Thompson from the Beavers.
Clearing the bases
Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano left the game against the Mets after pulling up lame as he tried to run from first to third on a single in the third. The team said it was a strained right quadriceps. … Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera left the game against Houston with a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch, but he’s expected to be available for the team’s next game Tuesday. … Giants starter Noah Lowry left his start against San Diego because of tightness in his left forearm. Three innings later, San Diego starter Justin Germano left after getting hit on the right thumb by Pedro Feliz‘s comebacker. … Washington Nationals shortstop Felipe Lopez left the game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning because of tendonitis in his right knee.