|

Albert Pujols blasts 701st homer: ‘extra special’

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols hit his 701st home run, Jack Flaherty allowed one run in six innings and the NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Friday night.

Pujols mashed a slider from Johan Oveido 398 feet to left field in the fourth inning, his 22nd homer of the season.

In his first game against his former teammate, Oviedo became the 456th different pitcher Pujols has homered against. Pujols hadn’t homered in a week since hitting Nos. 699 and 700 at Dodger Stadium last Friday.

“It was a good pitch to hit and I just put the best swing on the night on it,” Pujols said. “That was it. A 1-2 count, just not trying to do too much.”

The drive tied the game at 1-1. After a lengthy standing ovation, Pujols came out of the dugout and tipped his cap to the sellout crowd.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Pujols said. “I didn’t know it was going to be like this. It’s pretty good just to be embraced like this. I mean this is what I’ve been getting all year long but today was extra special. It was a great night overall.”

The 42-year-old Pujols is fourth on baseball’s home run list behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714). He has said this is his last season.

Pujols’ homer was his 55th against the Pirates, his third-most against any team, trailing Houston (70) and the Chicago Cubs (62).

Before the game, the slugger was recognized for hitting his 700th last week at Los Angeles. He was given a gold-plated, engraved bat by owner Bill DeWitt Jr., team president Bill DeWitt III and manager Oliver Marmol.

Albert Pujols belts his 701st homer, a solo shot, in the fourth inning of the Cardinals’ 2-1 over the Pirates.
USA TODAY Sports

Oviedo (4-3) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out four. The Cardinals traded him and infielder Malcom Nunez to the Pirates on Aug. 1. The deal brought starter Jose Quintana and reliever Chris Stratton to St. Louis.

Flaherty (2-1) gave up four hits, struck out six and walked two in his fifth start since returning from a right shoulder injury that sidelined him most of the season.

“I’m just getting more into a groove the more times (I) get out there. We’re just continuing to execute pitches and it feels great,” Flaherty said.

Albert Pujols salutes the fans during a curtain call after he hit his 701st homer in the Cardinals' win.
Albert Pujols salutes the fans during a curtain call after he hit his 701st homer in the Cardinals’ win.
USA TODAY Sports

The right-hander improved to 9-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 14 career starts against the Pirates.

He was happy to be the beneficiary of Pujols’ power.

“He’s done it in a lot of my starts. I feel like every time I go out there he’s going to hit one,” Flaherty said. “I get to see the ball come off the bat and hear everybody, so it’s fun when he does that.”

Nolan Arenado put the Cardinals in front in the fifth inning with a single that dropped just in front of right fielder Jack Suwinski to score Brendan Donovan.

Ji Hwan Bae drove in the Pirates’ only run with a bunt single past Flaherty to score Ben Gamel in the fourth.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton took a moment to appreciate Pujols’ accomplishments.

“I think we’re seeing one of the best hitters of our generation and he’s had an unbelievable second half,” Shelton said. “You cannot make mistakes to him right now. We made the one mistake to him and he hit it out of the ballpark. What he’s done over the course of his career and especially what he’s done over the second half is extremely special.”

Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save in 23 opportunities.

Check out our Latest News and Follow us at Facebook

Original Source

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *