Brewers dodge Bonds HR in series

MILWAUKEE -- Barry Bonds was lurking in the dugout with his body armor on and a bat in his hands, waiting to pinch hit.

But Bonds stayed put -- and that was just fine with Francisco Cordero, who retired three straight San Francisco Giants hitters in the ninth inning Sunday to preserve the Milwaukee Brewers' 7-5 victory and earn his major league-leading 31st save.

"I don't think anybody wants to face Barry Bonds," Cordero said. "He's one of the greatest ever. Especially in the ninth inning of a close game. He can do some damage."

It was the only victory for the Brewers in a three-game series against the Giants. But Brewers pitchers did get through the series without giving up a home run to Bonds, who rested on Sunday and is expected to resume his pursuit of Hank Aaron's record at home in San Francisco tonight.

Bonds has 753 homers, two shy of tying Aaron's record, and started just three of seven games on the Giants' trip. He was 0-for-6 with three walks -- one intentional -- and two strikeouts in the first two games of the series in the city where Aaron started and finished his 23-year career.

-- AP