HOUSTON -- Barry Bonds said Tuesday he didn't want to talk about the comments Curt Schilling made about him last week. But Bonds still said a few things.

On a radio show in Boston last week, Schilling was asked if fans should hold their noses while watching Bonds go after Hank Aaron's Major League home run record. Schilling responded with a string of accusations and allegations about Bonds. The following day, Schilling apologized for his comments.

In his first comments on the matter, Bonds tried to shrug it off.

"There's no need to add to that," Bonds said. "I'm too old for childish activities. I don't have the time for them.

"I didn't hear [the comments] at first. I don't watch SportsCenter."

When Bonds came out to the Minute Maid Park dugout as he customarily does an hour and a half before game time, he appeared shocked to see a large media throng. More than 50 TV, radio and newspaper reporters awaited him in the narrow dugout, and at first, Bonds balked, saying, "No way."

But he relented and worked his way into the middle of the crunch of media.

"I didn't know there were this many people in Texas," Bonds joked. "This is the first time I've had this many [reporters] this year. I didn't have anything like this in Colorado."

As usual, Bonds wouldn't talk about his home run record pursuit but was glad to talk about his improved health this season, which has allowed him to play in 34 of the Giants' 37 games. He was bothered by a trio of knee surgeries in 2005, when he played in only 14 games, and started only 120 games last year.

"It feels good to be able to play this much," Bonds said. "If I can just do half of what I did three years ago, I'll be happy."

He didn't feel as good after playing in Colorado's mile-high atmosphere and admitted after that series Sunday he was tired.

"I feel better today," Bonds said. "It was exhausting in Colorado. The altitude got to me a little. But after the day off, I feel good."

Manager Bruce Bochy said he's also glad to see Bonds healthy.

"I expect him to play all three games here," Bochy said. "His knee feels great and that has allowed us to put him out there more."

Bonds was booed in his first trip to the plate Tuesday. Asked before the game what he expected out of the Minute Maid Park crowd, Bonds said, "Whatever you want it to be. You guys write the stories."

Still part-time: Rookie Fred Lewis hit for the cycle Sunday in Colorado but that still won't put him in the lineup every day. At least for now.

The left-handed outfielder was back in the lineup Monday against the Astros and right-handed pitcher Woody Williams, but Bochy said he will still sit against most left-handers.

"More than likely he will," Bochy said. "It depends on how we're situated with outfielders. But he won't always sit against lefties."

It was the second earliest in a career for a player to hit for the cycle since 1957. Minnesota's Gary Ward hit the magic quadruple in his 14th game. Lewis, who accomplished the feat in his 16th game, also was the fifth Giants rookie to record five hits in a game after Robby Thompson (1986), Tito Fuentes (1966), Jesus Alou (1964) and Jim Davenport (1958).

Headed to Fresno: Right-hander Russ Ortiz, on the disabled list since May 2 with right elbow neuritis, will have a rehab assignment Thursday with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies.

Ortiz, who was 2-2 with a 6.44 ERA before going on the DL, will be limited to approximately 70 pitches.

He's eligible to come off the DL Thursday, but there was no prediction on how long it would be before Ortiz returns to the Giants. Officials said they would re-evaluate him after Thursday's performance.

Few tickets remain: The Oakland A's announced that a limited number of seats remain for this weekend's Interleague series with the Giants at McAfee Coliseum.

Approximately 1,500 tickets remain for Friday's 7:05 p.m. PT game while standing-room-only tickets are available for Saturday's 6:05 p.m. game and Sunday's 1:05 pm afternoon contest.

Extra bases: Randy Winn's first-inning single gave him a career-high 14-game hitting streak Tuesday. ... Bengie Molina's .307 average is second among National League catchers behind Los Angeles' Russell Martin at .315.

On deck: The Giants resume the Astros series on Wednesday night when left-hander Noah Lowry (4-3, 3.18 ERA) goes against right-hander Matt Albers (1-2, 5.47).