Big Mac tied for seventh on HR list

ST. LOUIS -- Mark McGwire tied Mike Schmidt for seventh on the career home run list, hitting No. 548 in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.

McGwire's first homer in three days was the Cardinals' first hit off Shawn Estes. It came on a 2-0 pitch, and traveled an estimated 475 feet to straightaway center. McGwire has 101 homers and 214 RBIs in 212 career games at Busch Stadium.

With his 26th homer of the season, McGwire also pulled into a tie with Barry Bonds of the Giants for the major league lead. He is on pace to hit 59 homers after hitting 65 last year and a record 70 in 1998.

McGwire, who took a called third strike that ended the first, reached 548 homers in 5,832 at-bats. It took Schmidt 8,352 at-bats.

Earlier this season, McGwire passed Jimmie Foxx (534) and Mickey Mantle (536). Reggie Jackson is sixth on the career list with 563.