SAN FRANCISCO -- As a young player, Benito Santiago had his share of long hitting streaks and memorable home runs.

But in 17 years in the majors, there's been nothing like this -- not even close. Never did he get a hit this important.

Walk Bonds or not?

Through nine postseason games this year, Barry Bonds has walked 13 times. Below is a game-by-game rundown of each of Bonds' walks and what Benito Santiago did in the at-bat following: NLDS Game 1: Bonds intentionally walked with two outs and Jeff Kent on second base in the sixth inning. Santiago follows with a two-run double, giving the Giants an 8-2 lead over the Braves. NLDS Game 3: Bonds intentionally walked with one out and Kent on second in the first inning. Santiago grounds into an inning-ending double play. NLDS Game 4: Bonds intentionally walked to load the bases in the second inning. Santiago is also walked, forcing in a run as the Giants take a 4-0 lead. NLDS Game 5: Bonds walked with one out and nobody on in the eighth inning with the Giants leading 3-1. He was caught attempting to steal second base for the second out. Santiago strikes out to end the inning. NLCS Game 1: Bonds walked with Kenny Lofton on third base and two outs in the first inning. Santiago follows with an infield single, scoring Lofton. Giants take a 1-0 lead over the Cardinals. NLCS Game 1: Bonds walked with Kent on first and no outs in the fourth inning. Santiago grounds into a double play. NLCS Game 1: Bonds walked with two outs and nobody on in the sixth inning. Santiago follows with a two-run homer. Giants lead 9-3. NLCS Game 2: Bonds walked leading off the sixth inning. Santiago flies out. NLCS Game 3: Bonds walked with Lofton on second and two outs in the first inning. Santiago grounds into a fielder's choice. NLCS Game 3: Bonds intentionally walked with Rich Aurilia on second and one out in the seventh inning. Santiago reaches on an infield single, loading the bases. Reggie Sanders and J.T. Snow are retired to end the inning. NLCS Game 3: Bonds walked with one out and nobody on in the ninth inning. Santiago strikes out. NLCS Game 4: Bonds walked with one out and Jeff Kent on first base. Santiago strikes out for the second out. Snow follows with a two-run double, tying the game at 2-2. NLCS Game 4: Bonds intentionally walked with two outs and nobody on in the eighth inning. Santiago follows with a game-winning two-run homer.

San Francisco's veteran catcher is a postseason star at age 37. He seems to get better with every big hit.

He hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning as the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 Sunday night in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.

That's two huge hits for Santiago in this series.

"I don't know how to describe it. It's unbelievable," Santiago said as a slew of friends and strangers congratulated him.

A handful of Giants faithful remained in the stands next to the San Francisco dugout after the game, and chanted "Ben-i-to! Ben-i-to!" as he walked by.

Santiago enjoys the opportunity he has to do damage batting behind Barry Bonds, and he is making the most of it.

His late-game power helped San Francisco take a 3 games to 1 lead in the series and move within a game of the franchise's first World Series since 1989. The Giants can finish off the Cardinals on Monday at Pacific Bell Park, avoiding a return trip to Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

San Francisco lefty Kirk Rueter takes the mound against Matt Morris.

Santiago, an All-Star this season for the first time in 10 years, is batting .353 in the NLCS, second on the team only to David Bell's .385.

With Bonds aboard on an intentional walk, Santiago hit a 3-2 pitch from Rick White into the bleachers in left field, a shot that sent the 42,676 fans into an absolute frenzy.

"You know what, I like to see these people rockin' the house like that," he said. "I was looking for that type of pitch. He got me out with that pitch. I guessed right this time."

He made up for a strikeout with two runners on in the sixth inning, in which he looked at three called strikes.

On Wednesday, Santiago drove in four runs, including three after walks to Bonds, as the Giants won Game 1 at Busch Stadium, 9-6.

The scene was similar Sunday. The Giants tied it 2-2 with two runs in the sixth and were just waiting for someone to get the big hit.

"I was so excited they walked Barry Bonds," Santiago said. "I wanted to make them pay again."

Santiago, who set a rookie record with a 34-game hitting streak in 1987, didn't hide his emotions after his homer either. He's having the time of his life and feels about 10 years younger than he really is.

After his drive sailed into the seats, he threw his bat to the ground with authority and rounded the bases. Bonds greeted him at home plate.

"I hit it hard," Santiago said. "But I wanted to see it go out."

Then, when closer Robb Nen struck out J.D. Drew swinging to end the game, Santiago threw his arms into the air and rushed the mound to bear hug the pitcher.

Giants manager Dusty Baker tried several players in the No. 5 spot behind Bonds this season, and Santiago has been the best fit.

He doesn't have a history of postseason success, but his teammates are thrilled about what he's doing at the plate now.

"Benny is unbelievable," reliever Tim Worrell said. "We're so much on the same page out there. He does a great job managing the pitching staff, so it's almost like everything he does with the bat is extra."

Santiago has driven in 11 runs this postseason in nine games.

After 17 seasons in the majors, Santiago sure isn't slowing down -- and he has no plans to do so. He feels like he's in his 20s again, and he's definitely playing some of the best baseball of his career.

"I've been saying it since last year. What he does is unbelievable," pitcher Jason Schmidt said. "He's a motivator. He motivates the pitchers. You've got to have that on a team like this. He's living for the moment."