ANGELS NOTEBOOK: BONDS' HR BLAST AT EDISON TO BE GIVEN TO CHARITY.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services

SAN FRANCISCO - A real-estate investor who fought off five men to snag the ball launched by Barry Bonds in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series has plans to donate it to a breast-cancer research foundation.

David Behrend, 34, of Santa Monica was standing with his sister by the tunnel near Section 238 in Edison Field on Sunday when Bonds' shot went over his head, bounced twice through the tunnel and off a concession stand. The ball was hit an estimated 485 feet.

``I ran about 10 yards to get it, and five guys piled onto me, like it was a fumble recovery,'' said Behrend, who was standing in the tunnel hoping to make a fast exit at the end of the game.

Security guards pulled the men off Behrend, who said he was offered $500 on the spot for the ball. To authenticate it, Behrend had a stadium security guard write her name, phone number and badge number on it. He said he will give the ball to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast-cancer research.

The ball could fetch between $8,000 and $10,000, according to Tom Elliott, owner of Past Times Collectibles. ``It didn't win a game, but it was hit into the stratosphere by the greatest hitter of our era,'' Elliott said.

If the ball was signed by Bonds, the price could jump to $15,000, he said.

Bonds will gladly sign the ball if it's given to charity, said his publicist, Rachael Vizcarra. ``He wouldn't give it a second thought,'' she said.

--Molina contributes: Angels catcher Bengie Molina is in the lineup because of his defense, not his offense. He readily admits he is the weak link in the offense, but in Game 3 Tuesday, Molina reached base five times: three walks (two intentional) and two singles.

``I haven't been hitting all year,'' Molina said. ``I just wanted to be a part of it and contribute. Finally. It feels good.''

--Streak ends: When Angels right fielder Tim Salmon struck out in the first inning of Game 3 on Tuesday, it ended a streak of 43 consecutive plate appearances by Angels hitters without a strikeout.

No Angel struck out in Game 2, a feat that had not been accomplished by a World Series team since 1960, when both the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates went without a strikeout in Game 7.

--Scioscia earns honor: Angels manager Mike Scioscia was named American League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News, an award voted on by AL managers. Scioscia and A's manager Art Howe each received six votes; Yankees manager Joe Torre got one and Orioles manager Mike Hargrove got one. The tie between Scioscia and Howe was broken after the magazine polled AL executives.

--Odds and ends: Scioscia moved Adam Kennedy up to the No. 7 spot in the batting order for Game 3, ahead of catcher Bengie Molina, who batted eighth. Scioscia said the move was made because Kennedy would provide better protection for the No. 5 and 6 hitters, Troy Glaus and Scott Spiezio. ... Because the Giants are starting Rueter, a left-handed pitcher, Benji Gil will start at second base in place of Kennedy tonight in Game 4.

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The Angels' Bengie Molina, right, has been put into the lineup for his defense. However, he had an exceptional night at the plate Tuesday in Game 3 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants. Molina walked three times and had two singles.

Nick Lammers/Staff Photographer