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Albert Pujols crosses the plate after hitting his 683rd career home run this Sunday against the Pirates.
Albert Pujols shook his head. He hit a pair of home runs and then witnessed catcher Yadier Molina’s first pitching performance, completing the Luis Cardinals’ 18-4 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
Molina tolerated He hit a pair of homers and four runs in the ninth, eventually capping St. Louis’ three-game sweep.
But it wasn’t all joy for the Cardinals. Their starter Steven Matz threw just four pitches before being pulled with a stiff left shoulder.
Pujols left in 683 the crop of home runs in his career. Pinch-hitting for Nolan Arenado and San Luis leading 11-0 in the fifth inning, El Dominicano a hit that flew 425 feet to left field.
The 42-year-old slugger added a three-run homer in the ninth off Pirates infielder Josh VanMeter. Pujols is fifth on the all-time home run list, 13 behind Alex Rodríguez.
Exactly one week after Pujols went up. Taking the mound for the first time in his major league career, Molina had his turn with St. Louis leading 18-9. Pujols got behind the plate when his old partner warmed up. between innings.
A Gold Glove winner and multiple All-Star catcher, the 39-year-old Puerto Rican didn’t fare so well on the mound. allowed He hit a solo homer to Yoshi Tsutsugo and then a three-run homer to Jack Suwinski. finished receiving four hits in his working inning, throwing for strikes on 14 of his 20 pitches, with no strikeout or walk. Pujols also allowed four runs and two home runs in one inning during a blowout against San Francisco last Sunday.
For the Cardinals, Pujols is 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs. Panamanian Edmundo Sosa 5-2, two runs scored and one RBI. Venezuelan Juan Yepez 5-1, two runs scored and one produced.
For the Pirates, Venezuelan Diego Castillo 4-1. The Dominican Rodolfo Castro 4-1, one scored.