PITTSBURGH (AP) — Albert Pujols hit his 697th career home run to pass Alex Rodriguez for fourth on the all-time list with a dramatic ninth-inning drive that put the St. Louis Cardinals on the road to victory Sunday night. 4-3 over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cardinals, leaders of the NL Central, were down 2-1 when Pujols hit the two-run shot. He had also homered the day before.
Pujols trails Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the all-time home run chart.
“You have the category of impressive and then the category of amazing,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “What we are witnessing right now is legendary. I have to take a break from what I do managing to be able to absorb it. It’s amazing.”
The 42-year-old Dominican has 21 games to play in his 22nd and final season in the Major Leagues. He has 18 homers this year.
“This opportunity only comes once and it’s an opportunity that God has given me and I try to take advantage of it every day,” Pujols said. wants”.
“At the end of the day, it’s great that we’re playing excellent ball and I’m surrounded by a great group of teammates,” he added.
The Cardinals entered the ninth trailing 2-0, but added four runs off Chase De Jong (4-2).
Tommy Edman and Corey Dickerson started with back-to-back doubles to drive in the first run. Pujols followed, hitting the fence to give St. Louis the lead.
After Pujols, Tyler O’Neil hit a solo to end the inning for St. Louis.
De Jong started the game with a scoreless streak of 19 innings.
Greg Allen’s two-out homer in the bottom pulled the Pirates within 4-3.
For the Cardinals, Dominican Pujols 4-1 with a run scored and two RBIs. Puerto Rican Yadier Molina 4-0.
For the Pirates, the Dominicans Oneil Cruz 4-0 with an RBI; and Rodolfo Castro 4-1.
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