Bonds one behind Babe

PHILADELPHIA – Barry Bonds is heading home, one behind the Babe.

Bonds hit his 713th home run Sunday night, moving within one of tying Babe Ruth for second place on baseball’s career list.

“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.”

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 to the Phillies.

“They tell me that’s the way the Babe used to hit them,” Giants manager Felipe Alou said.

Bonds’ fifth homer of the season was estimated at 450 feet, one of the longest ever at Philadelphia’s hitter-friendly park. He needs 42 to tie Hank Aaron for the major league record.

The Giants were headed back to San Francisco to begin a homestand, but Bonds is not expected to play tonight.

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

Carlos Oliveras, a 25-year-old Air Force serviceman, grabbed the home run ball as it bounced around Section 202.

After a post-game news conference, Bonds shook Oliveras’ hand and took a picture with him but refused to sign the ball.

“I’m happy because I got a picture and he shook my hand,” Oliveras said.