ST. LOUIS – Albert Pujols was the starring act, hitting his 698th career homer in dramatic fashion Friday, and the Cincinnati Reds were once again on the wrong end of it in a 6-5 loss.
Every time Pujols comes to the plate at Busch Stadium, the sold-out crowd moves to its feet. Many of the 47,118 fans pull out the cameras on their phones. He already moved into fourth place on the all-time home run list and now he’s chasing a round number only touched by Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth.
Pujols hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the sixth inning off Raynel Espinal, the 453rd pitcher to watch him round the bases.