Watch: Stanton's pursuit of 61 HRs continues with No. 56

Roger Maris' 61 home runs are in sight, and Giancarlo Stanton can probably taste it.

The Miami Marlins slugger belted his 56th home run of the season Wednesday against the New York Mets and moved within five of Maris' mark, which stood as the single-season record for 37 years until it was broken in controversial fashion by both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998.

Barry Bonds holds the all-time record for home runs in a single season with 73, although his record is also surrounding by controversy.

Stanton is the first player to hit 56 in a season since Ryan Howard hit 58 in 2006.