Bonds Hits No. 712 as Giants Fall to San Diego

The Padres were in a perfect situation to challenge Barry Bonds: a three-run lead in the eighth inning with nobody on base.

Giants fans got what they came to see, and now Bonds is two home runs from tying the Babe.

Bonds hit his 712th homer in San Francisco's 5-3 loss to San Diego on Tuesday, moving him even closer to matching Babe Ruth's total for second place on the career list.

Bonds sent a full-count, 96 mph fastball from Scott Linebrink over the center-field wall for a solo shot that traveled an estimated 440 feet. Linebrink became the 419th pitcher to surrender a home run to Bonds.

"The fast ones I'm able to see. The slower ones I'm missing," Bonds said, smiling. "He challenged me one time too many."

The seven-time NL MVP, as popular as ever in his home ballpark despite the steroids accusations surrounding him, came home to chants of "Barry! Barry!" and a loud standing ovation -- and he gave the fans a wave before disappearing into the dugout. His home run total flashed on the scoreboard between innings.

Now, the 41-year-old Bonds will resume his chase for No. 714 on the road. The Giants open a two-game series Wednesday night in Milwaukee -- where home run king Hank Aaron played much of his career -- and then start a three-game, weekend set in Philadelphia.

Aaron holds the career record with 755 homers.

"I want him to do it as soon as possible -- 715 as soon as possible," Giants manager Felipe Alou said. "Do the other one here, 756 at home. You can't wait. You never know. ... Barry's not 31 years old. Go ahead and do it. If they give him a pitch to hit, I'm pretty sure he'll hit it."

Bonds said he hadn't thought about the possibility of tying or passing Ruth in the city where Aaron once ruled.

"I don't know," he said. "I haven't done it yet. I can't answer that question. ... I don't like talking about it at all, because here's nothing really to talk about at this moment."

After this trip, the Giants return home, where Bonds will first play Houston on Monday in a makeup game and then face former manager Dusty Baker and the Chicago Cubs.