Albert Pujols became the fourth player in MLB history to hit 700 home runs, and it came at the expense of his former Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in their 11-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) are also part of the 700 home-run club. Pujols is the lone member of the group to be born outside of the United States.
After reflecting fondly on his time with the Dodgers last season, Pujols went to work on etching his name into the record books. Andrew Heaney struck him out in his first at-bat but surrendered a two-run homer to Pujols in the third inning that broke up a scoreless tie.
When Pujols’ spot in the Cardinals’ order came up again in the fourth inning, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned to Phil Bickford. He inherited two baserunners but needed just one out to keep the Dodgers in the game.
Bickford instead became part of MLB history as the pitcher to give up the 700th home run of Pujols’ career. The multi-homer game was Pujols’ fourth of the season.
Pujols threw his arms out in celebration while rounding the bases and immediately went over to high-five fellow Dominican Republic native Adrián Beltré in the front row of the Dugout Club after crossing home plate.
Dodger Stadium treated Pujols to a standing ovation and curtain call before play resumed.
Matters only worsened for the Dodgers from there, with Dylan Carlson hitting an RBI double in the fifth inning and Lars Nootbaar following that with a two-run homer. Caleb Ferguson then surrendered a solo home run to Juan Yepez and an RBI base hit to Nootbaar in the seventh.
Craig Kimbrel, fresh off being removed from the Dodgers closer role, retired the side in order in the sixth inning. His appearance came despite Roberts saying Kimbrel would not pitch Friday night.
Hanser Alberto entered in the eighth and allowed a home run but pitched a career-high two innings.
José Quintana led the Cardinals’ shutout effort by holding the Dodgers without a run over 6.2 innings.
Albert Pujols home runs with Dodgers or at Dodger Stadium
Of the 700 Pujols home runs, 12 came with the Dodgers last season. In his career, the future Hall of Famer has hit 19 homers at Dodger Stadium, and 22 overall against the Dodgers.
Pujols hit the 100th home run of his career at Dodger Stadium as well, doing so off Paul Quantrill on July 20, 2003.
More must-reads: