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Bonds continues quest for record against Phillies

May 3, 2007 - 3:25 PM Philadelphia (12-15) at San Francisco (14-12) 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Barry Bonds has tormented many teams in his career. The Philadelphia Phillies are one of his favorites.

The Giants begin a four-game series with the Phillies on Thursday night.

Bonds hit his 743rd homer in the Giants' 5-3 win over Colorado on Wednesday. He has drawn 10 walks in his last seven games, including three in Monday's victory.

Bonds has 63 career homers against Philadelphia - tied for his third most against any team. However, Bonds' success has not benefited the Giants recently, as they have dropped 10 of their last 12 games against the Phillies, including four of the last five here.

Matt Cain (1-1, 1.54), who has allowed one run or less in each of his last four starts, will be charged with the task of changing the Giants' recent fortunes against Philadelphia. The 22-year-old righthander, whose ERA ranks fourth in the majors, did not factor into the decision in his last outing despite allowing just one run and one hit in six innings of San Francisco's 5-4 loss at Arizona last Saturday.

Cain is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies.

Opposing the youngster will be Adam Eaton (2-2, 7.71), who will be looking to bounce back after he was charged with seven runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings of last Saturday's 11-5 loss to Florida. In his last three starts, Eaton has allowed 15 runs in 16 1/3 innings.

Eaton is 2-5 with a 4.57 ERA in 13 career starts against the Giants. Bonds is batting .348 (8-for-23) with four homers all-time against the righthander.

Both teams enter this series with injured closers. Tom Gordon was sent back to Philadelphia after Wednesday's loss to have his sore right shoulder examined. San Francisco's Armando Benitez was unavailable Wednesday due to a sore right knee.