SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds does not expect to be in Pittsburgh for the All-Star Game July 11.

But only because he does not expect to be chosen.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Thursday's results INDIANAPOLIS (33-26) lost to Pawtucket, 6-3. LHP Sean Burnett (4-5, 6.36) allowed six runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out one, walked four and threw 38 of 70 pitches for strikes. RHP Terry Adams (2.42) pitched two scoreless innings of relief. ALTOONA (34-24) had a doubleheader rained out at Portland. LYNCHBURG (29-31) lost to Salem, 3-2. RHP Clayton Hamilton (2-4, 4.70) pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and a walk. CF Nyjer Morgan (.312) went 3 for 4 with a walk. 1B Steven Pearce (.310) hit his fourth home run. PH Neil Walker (.286) went 0 for 1. HICKORY (28-30) swept a doubleheader at Greensboro, 5-4 and 7-5. In the first game, RHP Todd Redmond (5-3, 2.54) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings. In the second, RHP Derek Antelo (2-2, 6.17) allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings. For the day, CF Andrew McCutchen (.278) went 3 for 7 with three runs and an RBI.

"I don't even think I'll be there," he said last night in the San Francisco Giants' clubhouse, shortly before the game against the Pirates. "Realistically, there are guys who are playing a lot better than me. We'll wait to see what happens first, then I'll give you all the answers."

Asked to identify some of those better players, he replied: "I said they're playing better than me. Those were my exact words."

Bonds, 41, is batting .250 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 48 games.

Still, it seems quite unlikely, given the magnitude of his stardom, that he will not be added to the National League team even if he is not among the three outfielders voted into the starting lineup. In the most recent balloting, he ranked eighth, one spot ahead of the Pirates' Jason Bay.

Still, when asked how it might feel to return to Pittsburgh if he were selected, Bonds offered a been-there, done-that joke that referred back to having participated in the 1994 classic at Three Rivers Stadium as a member of the San Francisco Giants.

"I already played in an All-Star Game there, and I had a good time," he said, laughing. "They got two All-Star Games before we got one."

San Francisco will play host to the event next year for the first time since 1984.

Bonds did not start last night because of a strained muscle in his left side, an injury he aggravated Tuesday. And he sounded pessimistic about playing in any of the three remaining games against his former team.

"Still day to day," he said.

He described the injury as "getting better each day" but acknowledged being forced to sleep on one side and predicted he might need a few days of rest to recover.

Bonds was tight-lipped on the subject of Jason Grimsley, the reliever released Wednesday by the Arizona Diamondbacks after his admission to federal agents that he used human growth hormone, steroids and amphetamines.

"I can't answer that question," Bonds said, shaking his head. "I don't know. That's a no-win situation."

Pirates admire Bonds

Bonds' injury puts on hold his pursuit of Hank Aaron's total of 755 home runs. Bonds has 716.

Most of the Pirates seem to shrug off the shroud surrounding Bonds' chase in favor of sheer admiration.

"Any record that's stood for that long ... and especially the home run record, the most cherished in sports ... for someone to be chasing something of that magnitude, it's magical, really," rookie outfielder Nate McLouth said. "It's unbelievable."

"I think it's awesome," said reliever Ryan Vogelsong, Bonds' teammate when he hit his record 73 home runs in 2001. "There are a couple other active guys who might have a shot at that number, you never know what will happen, health-wise, stuff like that, what can happen. For me, it's special to be playing in a time when there's someone close to that number. It's a tribute to Barry and what he's done."

No change for Perez

Struggling Oliver Perez will make his next start, Pirates manager Jim Tracy made clear yesterday.

Asked if the team had any plans out of the ordinary for Perez between starts -- his turn was skipped in the rotation in early May -- Tracy answered, "Nothing to discuss."

He was asked if the situation is one in which Perez simply is taking two steps forward, one back.

"That's basically what we're dealing with right now."

Buried treasure

St. Louis has contacted the Pirates to inquire about the availability of right fielder/first baseman Craig Wilson. The Cardinals need help at first, with Albert Pujols out for several weeks because of an oblique injury. Wilson, who can declare free agency after this season, is known to be available.

Victor Santos, the Pirates' starter tonight, threw a complete game in San Francisco April 22 of last year while with the Milwaukee Brewers. He had a 2.40 ERA in two meetings with the Giants.

Bay tonight will play in his 250th consecutive game. His streak ranks fourth among active players. The Baltimore Orioles' Miguel Tejada has 979.