Giants 4, Dodgers 2 - Maybe it's better this way. If Barry had tied (or passed) Hank Aaron in Chavez Ravine, it would have been the second time the Dodgers gave up the record breaking shot (yup, Hammerin' Hank hit 715 against the Boys in Blue). That's not to mention the riot that would have ensued. This isn't exactly the most hospitable town for any Giant, much less that Giant. It was a bigger game for the other Barry, as Zito earned just his 8th win of the year. Los Angeles had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth, but only produced one run. The Giants head to San Diego before they return home to a stadium that remains nameless.

Angels 6, Oakland 4 - If Bonds had a night like Vladimir Guerrero, we wouldn't be talking about a tie. Vlad erupted from a month-long homer drought with two booming shots. It's ironic that his last home run in a game was June 23, but he won the All Star home run derby on July 9. Francisco Rodriguez had an easy night, being called up for only one batter to earn the save.

Elsewhere - Nine year old kid turns pro. Maybe we're old fashioned, but that seems a little young. Here's the reason why ... Vince Young can break Trojan hearts, but not his hand ... Major League Baseball gets into its own black market.

Today's Action - Sparks @ Houston (5:30pm) ... X Games 13 is in town all weekend ... LA Stars will have celebrity events this weekend, and provide a contrast to the the X Games with Hood Games, "urban extreme sport competition" (their words, not ours).

AP photo by Chris Carlson.