Giants continue mastery over Cards

ST. LOUIS -- Barry Bonds got to celebrate on his 40th birthday, even if the St. Louis Cardinals wouldn't allow him to contribute.

A day after Bonds hit a three-run, seventh-inning home run in the Giants' victory over St. Louis, he drew his major league-leading 79th intentional walk at a key spot in San Francisco's 5-3, 10-inning win.

Bonds declined to discuss any thoughts, saying "not today" when reporters asked after the game if he was willing to talk.

"A game on his birthday is like any other game for him," manager Felipe Alou said. "The other team is so busy worrying about him, thinking about when will he bat next and what will the situation be. He's a factor no matter what day it is."

Chris Carpenter, left in to pitch against the left-handed hitting J.T. Snow following the walk to Bonds, got an inning-ending strikeout in the eighth that preserved a tie.

But the Giants went ahead for good in the 10th on Edgaro Alfonzo's two-run homer off Ray King (3-1) and sent the Cardinals to their first extra-inning loss in seven games this season. Alfonzo twice failed to get a bunt down earlier in the count, and he ended up with his seventh homer.

If Alfonzo had been successful in his sacrifice attempt, manager Tony La Russa said Bonds would have seen his second intentional walk.

"The bunt sign was on for the first pitch, and I was on my own on the second pitch," Alfonzo said. "He threw me a hanging slider that didn't slide. I wasn't looking for anything in particular."

San Francisco has won the first two games of the three-game series, the Cardinals' first consecutive losses since they were swept in a three-game series at Pittsburgh June 28 through June 30. St. Louis had won 15 of 17 coming in.

"See what happens tomorrow," said Carpenter, who allowed just five hits. ineight innings.

figure in the decison.

starting pitcher Carpenter said. "We've got a good team. We'll be fine."

The Giants' supporting cast has played a big role in the two games.

"Everybody pays so much attention to Barry that we fly under the radar," Snow said. "We're a bunch of what you might call workmanlike players, and that's fine with us."

Felix Rodriguez (3-4) recorded the last out in the ninth, and Jason Christiansen recorded the last out in the 10th for his second save.

Pinch-hitter Pedro Feliz had put the Giants ahead 3-2 with a two-out infield hit in the ninth off the glove of second baseman Tony Womack. An RBI double by pinch-hitter Marlon Anderson off Jim Brower in the bottom half retied it, although an outstanding defensive play by first baseman J.T. Snow helped keep the game tied.

Snow, charging hard, fielded Hector Luna's sacrifice attempt and threw out Anderson at third for the first out.

"With another first baseman that's a good play," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "But with a guy like Snow you've got to bunt the ball to third."

Jim Edmonds homered for the second time in three games for St. Louis, and Marquis Grissom homered for the Giants, who have won seven of their last eight against the Cardinals.

Bonds, who has 25 homers and 141 walks, went 1-for-4 and leads the major leagues with a .362 average.

Carpenter worked around a season-high five walks in his eight-inning stint, allowing two runs and five hits. Four of the walks came in the first four innings as he worked out mechanical difficulties.