Gaining on Ruth, Bonds Hits No. 713

PHILADELPHIA, May 7 -- Barry Bonds hit his 713th homer on Sunday night to move within one of tying Babe Ruth for second place on baseball's career list.

The San Francisco Giants' slugger hit a mammoth shot in the sixth inning off Philadelphia right-hander Jon Lieber, sending a 2-1 pitch off the facade of the right-field upper deck during a 9-5 loss.

"It's overwhelming right now," Bonds said. "It's a little bit larger than a single-season home run record. It's big. It's really, really big."

As he took his slow trot around the bases, some of the Phillies fans -- who had been needling Bonds with boos and derisive chants throughout the series -- stood up, cheered and clicked photographs.

Bonds's fifth homer of the season was estimated at 450 feet, one of the longest ever at Philadelphia's hitter-friendly park.

"About tore that golden arches sign down out there," Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said.

Bonds needs 42 to tie Hank Aaron for the major league record.

Meantime, the Phillies won their eighth in a row, their longest since a 13-game run in 1991.

The Giants are headed back to San Francisco to begin a homestand, but Bonds is not expected to play Monday night.

Bonds had been held in check since arriving here on Friday. He went 3 for 9 in Philadelphia's three-game sweep. He had gone 11 at-bats since his previous home run, Tuesday against San Diego.

He struck out swinging in his next at-bat against reliever Aaron Fultz in the eighth inning, sending many fans heading for the exits. He was taken out of the game before the bottom of the inning, replaced in left field by Jason Ellison.

Carlos Oliveras caught the home run ball, specially marked to assure authenticity. Oliveras, 25, is an Airman 1st Class who lives on McGuire Air Force Base in Fort Dix, N.J.

He said he is a Bonds fan and would probably keep the ball.