Albert Pujols hits 697th home run, overtaking A-Rod for 4th on all-time list | CBC sport

Albert Pujols hit his 697th home run, moving past Alex Rodriguez for fourth on the career list and doing so in dramatic fashion with a ninth-inning drive that gave the St. Louis Cardinals a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals were 2-1 behind when Pujols connected for a two-run drive. Pujols had Rodriguez tied with a home run Saturday night.

Pujols is behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the all-time homer list.

In his quest for 700 home runs, the 42-year-old Pujols has 21 games left in his 22nd and final season in the major leagues. He’s hit 18 home runs this year.

“This opportunity only comes once and it’s something that God has given me and I try to take advantage of every day,” Pujols said. “I create memories not only for myself, but for the fans, my family and people who love me.”

“At the end of the day it’s pretty great and we play great baseball and have a great group of teammates,” he said.

The Cardinals went 2-0 into the ninth inning, but scored four runs ahead of Chase DeJong (4-2).

Tommy Edman and Corey Dickerson started back-to-back doubles to produce the first heat. Pujols followed up with his homer to put the Cardinals in front.

An out after Pujols connected, Tyler O’Neil hit with a solo shot to cap St. Louis’ big inning.

The Cardinals won on a day when first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado, two NL MVP candidates, were off.

De Jong went into the game with a scoreless 19-inning streak.

“Really bad execution that falls short of a really good hitter,” de Jong said of Pujols’ home run. “I dropped a fastball over the middle of the plate. He should have been downstairs. Things that should be above were below, and things that should be below the zone stayed in the zone. That’s entirely up to me, and I have to act better in key situations like this.”

Greg Allen’s two-from home run at the end of the ninth tournament put the Pirates 4-3. Ryan Helsley then got Ben Gamel to fly to his 16th save.

Chris Stratton (8-4) pulled back both batters he was facing.

The Cardinals were shut out with three hits in the first eight innings but rallied to their eighth win in their last 11 games. The Pirates missed a chance to win their first series since beating Milwaukee August 2–4.

Cardinals won their 15th straight season

Edman had two hits to bring his hitting streak to 13 games.

Mitch Keller threw seven scoreless innings for the Pirates, allowing only two singles. He struck six and walked three.

The Cardinals’ Jose Quintana threw a one-run ball for 5 1/3 innings. It was his first start against the Pirates since they traded him to St. Louis on August 1.

The Cardinals clinched their 15th straight season with a 7-5 win over the Pirates on Saturday night. This ties in with the franchise record of 1939-53.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton was kicked out in the third inning by home plate umpire Clint Vondrak for arguing a controlled swing third shot at Bryan Reynolds. It was Shelton’s fourth throw of the season.

Cardinals have Monday off before opening a three-game home series against Milwaukee on Tuesday. Jordan Montgomery (8-3, 8-3) starts for St. Louis. He is 5-0 with a 1.45 ERA in seven starts since being traded by the New York Yankees.

Pirates open a four-game series in Cincinnati Monday with Bryse Wilson (2-8, 11/6) and Mike Minor (4-10, 70/5). Wilson is 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA in his last five games.