Home fans unable to spur Bonds past Aaron

SAN FRANCISCO: More than 43,000 fans turned out to cheer on Barry Bonds in his first game back in San Francisco since tying Major League Baseball's career home run record, but his big bat went quiet again on Monday.

The Giants outfielder smacked his 755th career home run in San Diego on Saturday, putting him level with hitting great Hank Aaron.

On Monday, a sold-out crowd of 43,052 rose to their feet for each at-bat and filled the night sky with the flickering of camera flashes, only to see Bonds go 0-for-3 against the Washington Nationals.

The seven-time National League MVP popped up weakly in the first inning, walked in the third, hit into a double-play in the fifth and struck out in the seventh as he attempted an almighty swing of the bat.

He also made a nice running catch in left field near the warning track.

"I don't know if he is the greatest ever, but he is soon going to be the greatest home-run hitter ever," Hall of Famer Willie McCovey, a vocal Bonds supporter, told Reuters.

Bonds, 43, flashed his biggest smile of the night when the Giants scoreboard played a tribute message from former boxing champion Muhammad Ali before the game.

About 50 kayaks as well as 15 boats and a yacht crowded a small inlet of the San Francisco Bay outside the stadium's right field wall in the hope of snaring a historic ball that could be worth an estimated $1 million at auction.

Some fans kept signs at the ready for the big moment such as "Thank You Barry #756" but when Bonds left the game after striking out in the seventh inning, many headed for the exits.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/08/2007 page24)