What began as reminder of Albert Pujols’ mastery of the moment and the player they used to have became, ultimately, for the Cardinals another showcase for the team they do have.
Pujols, clad now in Dodger blue, homered in his first at-bat as a National League player visiting Busch Stadium.
That callback to history was also a harbinger.
Pujols’ homer was the first of four hit by the Dodgers as they turned to nine different pitchers to stymie the Cardinals in a 7-2 victory Tuesday at Busch Stadium. Justin Turner hit two of the four home runs, and catcher Will Smith had the fourth as part of his four-hit game.