REUTERS/Kimberly White (UNITED STATES)

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters):

Controversial San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run on Friday, moving him to within one of the all-time Major League Baseball record held by Hank Aaron for 33 years.

The seven-time National League Most Valuable Player homered inthe first inning against the Florida Marlins' starting pitcher Rick Vanden Hurk.

The solo blast to deep centre put the Giants up 2-1 and was the 20th home run of the season for Bonds, who turned 43 on Tuesday.

The Giants beat the Marlins 12-10, a victory Bonds said underscored their determination to climb in the standings amid the intense media attention focused on him.

The Giants are at the bottom of the National League West and 12 games behind leaders the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It felt good," Bonds said, referring to his home run. "The win felt better."

The left-fielder's quest for one of the most hallowed records in American sport has been dogged by questions about possible past steroid use and an ongoing federal grand jury probe into his testimony on the issue.

Bonds

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds runs off the field after pinch hitting in the ninth inning during a MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers in San Francisco, California, July 19, 2006. A federal probe could lead to Bonds' indictment on perjury and tax evasion charges as early as this week.