ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols hit his 701st homerun to join the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday-evening.
Pujols launched a slider from former teammate Johan Oviedo over the Big Mac Land sign in left field of Busch Stadium. The solo drive in the fourth inning made it 1-all.
Pujols faced Oviedo for the first time and immediately made the 24-year old the 456th different pitcher he homered against.
The St. Louis star hadn’t homed in a week since hitting the numbers 699 and 700 at Dodger Stadium last Friday. Pujols had had 10 at bats without a homerun after two starts and one pinch-hit appearance.
The Busch Stadium crowd gave 42-year-old Pujols a long standing ovation before he emerged from the Cardinals dugout to tip his cap for a curtain call.
Pujols hit his 22nd homerun this season for the NL Central champion Cardinals.
Pujols is fourth on the home run list, behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714).
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