There’s no cause for alarm. Barry Zito’s ERA is being to plummet to expected levels. After his April 8th game against the LA Dodgers, who are in first place, many started to wonder if he was worth all the money.

In that contest, Zito gave up 8 runs and 9 hits over 6 innings. However, this proved to be a fluke as he proceeded to dominate his next two outings.

The Atlanta Braves were left for dead at the All Star break. It looked like this team was getting ready to call it a season. While not out of the woods yet, the Braves have managed to win their way into a playoff chase. The Braves won’t be winning the NL East this season, which breaks a trend, but they do have a shot at the NL Wild Card. The Braves have been on a home winning streak and are now just four games back in the Wild Card chase. The Giants are also in the hunt—just three games out.

Minutes from now the Pirates will take on the Giants in San Francisco. Tonight is game two in the series. The Giants took game one yesterday 5-4. Benitez got the win and Marte the loss. The Pirates are sending Victor Santos to the hill and they are a +123 underdog. The Giants are a -133 favorite and Matt Morris will be going for them tonight. The under/over is set at 9 with the under being -130 and the over being +110.

When all the glitz and glamour of hitting a second place home run ball dies out, the current Barry Bonds is nothing more than an average player—perhaps even slightly below average. Is Bonds worth $22,000,000 per year? This season he is hitting .262 with 21 RBI and 7 home runs. Ok, yes, he has not played in every single game. However, he has played in 45 of the 56 games though. In fact, not playing further deteriorates his worth.

It had to happen sooner or later. Barry bonds finally hit home run 715 of his career at San Francisco. It was a nice treat for the home fans as the Giants were playing their last game of the home stand. Barry Bonds now sits all alone in second place for career homeruns. After the game, Bonds and fellow players toasted with champagne. Now that this personal milestone was reached, the only other question that remains is whether or not Barry Bonds will keep playing to break the record.