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Struggling Giants open first homestand without Bonds

Apr 7, 2008 - 1:15 PM San Diego (4-3) at San Francisco (1-5) 4:35 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- For the first time since 1993, the San Francisco Giants will open a homestand without Barry Bonds on their roster.

The struggling Giants host the San Diego Padres in their home opener Monday.

The all-time home run king, Bonds won five of his seven Most Valuable Player awards with the Giants and hit 586 of his 762 career blasts with San Francisco.

Without Bonds this season, the Giants have struggled - notably on offense - and are coming off a sweep in a three-game set over the weekend at the hands of Milwaukee. San Francisco has scored 12 runs in its six games and has been shut out twice, including a 7-0 blanking by Ben Sheets and the Brewers on Sunday.

Matt Cain (0-0, 0.00 ERA) pitched well but was not involved in the decision in last Tuesday's 3-2 setback to Los Angeles. The 23-year-old righthander pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and four walks with five strikeouts.

The Padres dropped two out of three to Los Angeles over the weekend, including a 3-2 loss Sunday. Trevor Hoffman endured his second loss of the season in Sunday's setback.

Greg Maddux (0-0, 4.50) hopes to get the Padres back into the win column as he gets the start for San Diego. The veteran allowed four runs - three earned - including three solo home runs in a no-decision against Houston last Wednesday.