Alex Rodriguez has Barry Bonds’ support.
Bonds, the former Giants and Pirates slugger who holds the mark for career home runs, congratulated Rodriguez for hitting his 600th home run and wished the Yankees star good luck in his chase for the all-time homer record.
Bonds owns the lifetime record with 762 home runs.
Bonds put out a message on his website, welcoming Rodriguez to the 600-homer club. Bonds said he hopes Rodriguez stays healthy and focused, telling A-Rod that “you only have 163 to go.”
Bonds said he’ll be watching and rooting for Rodriguez the rest of the way.
* All it took was a demotion for Joba Chamberlain to regain the form that won him the eighth-inning setup job in the first place.
Chamberlain has looked dominant over his last four appearances, giving up just one hit and no runs. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning yesterday in a 5-1 win over the Blue Jays.
“I’ve seen more downhill with his fastball and I’ve seen more depth in his slider,” manager Joe Girardi said. “That’s what we want to see. That’s what’s going to make him successful.”
Chamberlain credited a mechanical change for the improvement.
* Girardi is sticking with Dustin Moseley to make another start Monday against the Red Sox. Moseley has made two starts in place of the injured Andy Pettitte. Moseley gave up five runs in 71⁄3 innings against the Jays on Tuesday.
* Pettitte (strained left groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow. It will be the first time he throws off a mound. He’s thrown twice from halfway up the mound. Pettitte said he has not felt any pain.
* The Pirates claimed reliever Chan Ho Park off waivers.
— With AP