SAN FRANCISCO — Don't tell Barry Bonds there's no steam left in the rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Don't tell these post-Bonds era Giants, either.

Fresh off a meeting with the Dalai Lama — relax, we'll explain that one in a jiffy — the all-time home run king attended a most enlightening 5-4 victory over the Dodgers at AT&T Park on Monday night.

Bonds, 44, made appearances in the stands and two broadcast booths and steadfastly refused to rubber-stamp his retirement. The team made an even stronger statement against the NL West-leading Dodgers, scoring twice in the eighth inning to avenge an embarrassing three-game sweep in Los Angeles two weeks ago.

Rich Aurilia and Bengie Molina hit infield tappers that scored the tying and go-ahead runs against right-hander Ronald Belisario, an inspired comeback after the Dodgers had just scored four runs to wrest the lead in the seventh.

Barry Zito had his own brand of Zen for most of the evening, running his home scoreless streak to 14 innings before giving up a two-run home run to Casey Blake in the seventh. The Dodgers scored the tying and go-ahead runs on Merkin Valdez's watch, but the right-hander ended up receiving the victory after the Giants rallied.

Brian Wilson, who blew a three-run save opportunity a day earlier in Arizona, got emphatic redemption when he struck out the side in the ninth. Wilson didn't blow consecutive save opportunities once last season.

In a brief session with a handful of reporters just before the first pitch, Bonds reiterated that he hasn't retired and continues to work out "a little bit." But while fighting the glare from a video camera, he joked that he had to go because he "didn't want to be in the spotlight again."

"I just haven't retired. That's the only status I have," said Bonds, adding he only talks to agent Jeff Borris about where they'll do lunch. "The only interest I have is to go to my seats and watch the Giants beat the Dodgers."

No interest in getting back to the field?

"I am," Bonds said, laughing. "I'm going right over here to Section whatever and I'll be sitting in my seats."

Bonds sat between Giants managing partner Bill Neukom and president Larry Baer for four innings, then spent some time in the television and radio booths.

The Giants and Bonds agreed long ago to a 10-year personal services contract with a $1 million annual salary to be paid to the Bonds Family Foundation. That contract was expected to begin when Bonds officially retires — and it likely was among the topics discussed in the owner's seats.

Will Bonds make frequent appearances at AT&T Park?

"As often as Larry (Baer) and them want me to come back," Bonds said.

Bonds was in the Bay Area as a personal guest of Christopher Laub, a young boy who befriended Bonds several years ago while fighting cancer. Laub received an "Unsung Heroes of Compassion" award from the Dalai Lama on Sunday in Marin County.

The Giants strung together four hits against Randy Wolf in a three-run first inning — including extra-base hits by Edgar Renteria, Randy Winn and Aaron Rowand — to provide Zito an early cushion.

There might have been one casualty in the win, though. Outfielder Andres Torres pulled up lame while running the bases and left the game.