NEW YORK — Now branded with an asterisk, the ball Barry Bonds launched for his record 756th home run nearly a year ago landed Tuesday night in the Hall of Fame.

The souvenir arrived in Cooperstown, N.Y., after a strange day of back-and-forth statements between its owner, fashion designer Marc Ecko, and the shrine.

“We are very happy to receive the baseball as a donation, and not as a loan,” Hall spokesman Brad Horn said. “We look forward to adding this ball to our permanent collections.”

A driver walked up the front steps of the Hall, handing over the ball and a letter from Ecko saying it was an unconditional donation. Horn said the ball will be displayed after the museum documents it — that process usually takes weeks, rather than months.

Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s career homer record on Aug. 7. Yet not since Boston first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz caught the last out of the 2004 World Series had a Hall-bound ball caused so much commotion.

Ecko paid $752,467 for the prize in an online auction in September. Soon after, he asked fans to vote in an Internet poll on what he should do with the ball.

The winner: Brand it with an asterisk, to reflect the steroid allegations surrounding Bonds, and give it to the Hall.

The ball indeed was marked, with the six-pronged asterisk dye-cut into the cowhide, from stitch-to-stitch where “Major League Baseball” is printed.

Bonds called Ecko an “idiot” when the designer announced plans to hold the vote. The slugger later said he would boycott the Hall if it displayed the ball with an asterisk.

After months of discussions, the Hall said earlier Tuesday that talks with Ecko had “unfortunately reached an impasse.”

“The owner’s previous commitment to unconditionally donate the baseball has changed to a loan. As a result, the Hall of Fame will not be able to accept the baseball,” the Hall said.

Ecko later responded.

“I am surprised that the Hall issued a statement that said they would no longer accept the Barry Bonds’ 756th home run baseball. We had been in communication with them just this morning and the Hall did not mention that they would change their position and no longer accept the ball,” he said.

“Based on the Hall of Fame’s previous statements that they would both accept and display the ball, the only open issue we were talking about was the Hall’s recent indication of discomfort in displaying it and addressing the controversy surrounding the record.”

Nearly all of the Hall’s 35,000-plus artifacts were given on a permanent basis. The Hall does make exceptions, especially when it has nothing else to illustrate a story — Willie Mays loaned the glove he used to make his famous, over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series.

Bonds donated the batting helmets he wore when he hit his 755th and 756th home runs.

Bonds finished the season with 762 home runs. The San Francisco Giants did not offer him a contract for this year, and he hasn’t gotten an offer to play for another team.

SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain had been thinking a lot about this outing and how much he needed to bounce back with a great start. Then he went out and pitched one of his best games yet in 2008.

Cain struck out 10 in eight shutout innings, third baseman Jose Castillo made a great diving stop in the eighth to save a hit and the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.

“I found a good rhythm in the bullpen,” Cain said. “It was definitely something that was very much needed. Coming into this start I was anxious to get it going.”

Fred Lewis stole home, scored both runs and had the first two hits against Chicago starter Jason Marquis to help Cain’s winning cause. The Giants went ahead 1-0 in the first when Lewis scored on a double steal in which Randy Winn stole second, and San Francisco bounced back to end a three-game home losing streak after the Cubs took the series opener 9-2 on Monday night.

Manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Cain (5-6) in the eighth even with his pitch count already over 100, and Cain matched his season high with eight innings in his team-leading 18th start. He allowed a single to No. 3 hitter Derrek Lee in the first and didn’t surrender another hit until Daryle Ward doubled to start the seventh.

“He was on,” Bochy said. “That’s a great effort.”

Cain, who had lost two of last three outings and three of five, put his strikeout total over 100 with his second 10-strikeout performance of the year and sixth of his career. Cain, Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez each have 100-plus Ks, the first time in San Francisco history three pitchers have reached the mark before the All-Star break.

Cain allowed two hits and walked three in an efficient 114-pitch performance.

In other games on Tuesday: NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 8

Braves 3

ATLANTA — Shane Victorino hit a home run and drove in four runs and Philadelphia beat Atlanta to remain unbeaten at Turner Field this season.

Mets 7

Cardinals 4

ST. LOUIS — Tony Armas won his season debut after a minor league callup and eighth-place hitter Ramon Castro had two hits and three RBIs in New York’s victory over St. Louis.

Rockies 4

Padres 0

DENVER — Aaron Cook tossed a five-hitter for the first shutout of his career, and Colorado ended an eight-game losing streak with a win over San Diego.

Nationals 9

Marlins 6

MIAMI — Collin Balester won his debut, and Ronnie Belliard hit a grand slam to give Washington a win over Florida.

Pirates 6

Reds 5

CINCINNATI — Pittsburgh blew two more late leads, but Jack Wilson — batting at the very bottom of the order — hit a tiebreaking triple in the 11th inning that set up a victory over Cincinnati.

Dodgers 7

Astros 6

HOUSTON — Jeff Kent hit a solo homer off Wesley Wright in the 11th inning and Los Angeles blew a five-run lead, then rallied to beat Houston.

Brewers 8

Diamondbacks 6

PHOENIX — J.J. Hardy homered twice and Milwaukee defeated Arizona, handing Randy Johnson his sixth straight loss. AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 3

Red Sox 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings in his first outing since throwing a one-hitter, and Tampa Bay beat Boston.

Rangers 3

Yankees 2

NEW YORK — Michael Young had an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning to help give Texas its second straight win over New York.

White Sox 3

Indians 2

CHICAGO — Alexei Ramirez tied it with a two-out homer and Orlando Cabrera won it with an RBI single, both in the 10th inning, and Chicago rallied for its sixth straight win, beating Cleveland.

Twins 6

Tigers 4

MINNEAPOLIS — Craig Monroe hit a three-run homer and Justin Morneau added three hits to help Minnesota beat Detroit.

Orioles 7

Royals 5

BALTIMORE — Brian Roberts homered, Ramon Hernandez and Adam Jones had two RBIs apiece, and Baltimore rebounded from two straight frustrating losses by beating Kansas City.

Angels 5

Athletics 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Vladimir Guerrero triggered a three-run rally in the eighth inning with an RBI single and Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer for Los Angeles.

Mariners 7

Blue Jays 6

SEATTLE — Willie Bloomquist singled home Raul Ibanez with the winning run in the bottom of ninth to cap Seattle’s rally.