SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds might or might not play today at PNC Park.
The San Francisco Giants clearly were undecided about whether the new home run king will appear in either game of their doubleheader against the Pirates this afternoon.
"The biggest thing that's going to influence whether Barry plays or not is how he feels," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said after the game yesterday.
"If I think he needs a day to recover in the outfield, Dave Roberts is OK to go, we'll probably use Barry in Atlanta if he doesn't play in Pittsburgh."
The Giants travel to Atlanta to play the Braves tomorrow.
Bonds did not address reporters, but Giants starter Barry Zito seemed to suggest there was a chance Bonds will want to make an appearance today.
"I think it'll be good for the fans in Pittsburgh to see Barry, especially after he broke the record," Zito said. "He always draws crowds when he goes out there, so those fans deserve it because they had him from the start."
A few minutes before the second game today, the Pirates will show a video tribute to Bonds, one that is expected to highlight his seven years in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates have sold more than 23,000 tickets for the doubleheader, a makeup of two rainouts in April.
Kuwata's family arriving
Reliever Masumi Kuwata's children finally will see him pitch for the Pirates today.
His wife, Maki, has visited from Japan already, but teenaged sons Masaki and Masashi were in school until recently and have had to wait until the doubleheader today.
"I can't wait," Kuwata said, smiling. "It's been a long time without my family, and it's been very hard."
Such angst, it turns out, could be the driving force when Kuwata, now 38, decides after this season whether to retire after 21 professional seasons.
"I'll go home to Japan, take my time and think about it," he said.
"Right now, I'm not sure. I'm having fun. I love being with this team. But I've been playing for a long time and, like I was saying, it's hard to be away from my family for so long."
Callups unlikely to start
General manager Dave Littlefield said "a couple" prospects could be called up when the 25-man roster expands in September, even if that means shuffling the 40-man to make it happen. But he added it is unlikely any will leap into a starting role.
"We've got a lot of young players up here who need to play," Littlefield said. "For these guys who come up, it will be more a matter of breaking the ice, seeing the big-league parks and getting that experience."
Though Littlefield identified no players, the most prominent callup likely will be power-hitting first baseman Steve Pearce, who has been seeing some duty in right field for Class AAA Indianapolis largely because Adam LaRoche has that position with the Pirates.
"We always have to be cognizant of duplication," Littlefield said.
Buried treasure
Outfielder Xavier Nady will have an MRI this morning on his strained left hamstring. He has not started a game since July 31.
The silence has been deafening -- on each side -- regarding the Pirates' talks with the Detroit Tigers about shortstop Jack Wilson.
Center fielder Chris Duffy and starter Zach Duke, each rehabilitating injuries in Bradenton, Fla., could see game action in the Gulf Coast League this week, Littlefield said. Duffy is closer than Duke, although Duke had another seamless bullpen session yesterday.
INDIANAPOLIS (61-59) beat Toledo, 4-2. RHP John Van Benschoten (9-4, 2.21) allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three. RHP Josh Sharpless (4.56) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and a walk. 1B Steve Pearce (.354) went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two steals. SS Brian Bixler (.284) went 1 for 4.
ALTOONA (63-55) won at New Hampshire, 4-3. RHP Yoslan Herrera (7-6, 4.43) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. RHP Romulo Sanchez (3.08) pitched two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts. CF Andrew McCutchen (.255) went 2 for 3 with a walk. 1B Jason Delaney (.280) went 2 for 4 with a double. 3B Neil Walker (.288) went 0 for 3 with two walks and committed his 25th error.
LYNCHBURG (50-65) beat Kinston, 11-9. LHP Kyle Bloom (9-9, 5.15) allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings. LF Jamie Romak (.243) went 4 for 5 with an RBI.
HICKORY (54-54) beat Columbus, 17-3. RHP Mike Crotta (9-5, 4.22) allowed one run in six innings. RF Jonel Pacheco (.296) hit his 21st and 22nd home runs and went 3 for 5 with four RBIs. 1B Kent Sakomoto (.284) hit his 13th home run and went 2 for 4 with five RBIs. CF Alex Presley (.302) hit his 11th home run and went 3 for 6 with three RBIs.
STATE COLLEGE (26-26) won at Tri-City, 16-0. RHP Nic Suero (2-3, 2.98) pitched five scoreless innings and allowed four hits. LHP Danny Moskos (3.60) pitched one scoreless inning of relief with one hit and one strikeout. CF Keanon Simon (.336) went 4 for 6 with two doubles and two RBIs.
BRADENTON (18-25) and the Reds were postponed by wet grounds.
First Published: August 13, 2007, 3:15 a.m.
