One day after his 584th home run moved him past Mark McGwire into sole possession of 10th place on the all-time list, Pujols joined Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Alex Rodriguez and Babe Ruth as the only players to collect 100 or more RBIs in 13 seasons.
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Pujols and Mike Trout hit back-to-back home runs off Estrada in the first inning and the Angels were never challenged.
Still not running at full speed, the Jays know that Bautista should not be in his normal spot in right-field just yet.
He was slated to bat leadoff and serve as the designated hitter in the series finale against the Angels.
A lead-off double to Kaleb Cowart and a walk to No. 9 hitter Gregorio Petit was followed by a unusual play that saw Kole Calhoun reach base when his innocent-looking ground ball hit Happ on the outside of the left foot and ricochet into foul territory to load the bases for the Angels’ hottest hitters.
With first base open Gibbons elected to intentionally walk Trout to load the bases for Pujols.
Brandon Drury drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly as the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Atlanta Braves 10-9, a five-run third inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 9-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins, and the San Francisco Giants overcame the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0. But Albert Pujols launched a solo shot two pitches later, and the Angels piled on three more runs off Estrada in the second inning and one last one in the fourth. Upton doubled to left with one out. An unfortunate, but costly, turn of events for Estrada. Although his night was not one to remember he did battle enough as to not tax the bullpen too much. Right-hander Jason Grilli had not allowed an earned run in his past 10 innings, a number which newcomer Joaquin Benoit has matched. Here’s to hoping the “magician” can once again find his magic before his next scheduled start.
“It sure seemed like it the last two nights they were finding holes and we were making good contact but hitting it right at them”, Happ said.
SEATTLE – Rookie Gary Sanchez kept up his torrid stretch with his seventh home run in the past nine games, and Masahiro Tanaka won his fourth straight start for NY.
Loup would strike out both batters he faced to strand both runners and leave the score at 7-0.
“It’s good company but I don’t think that’s what I play for”, Pujols said.
CINCINNATI – Yu Darvish hit only the second homer by a Rangers pitcher and Adrian Beltre hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning for a win over Cincinnati.
Toronto would finally break through with two outs in the eighth inning. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings. Toronto managed nine hits and two free passes with Russell Martin and Esquiel Carrera driving in runs while Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak scored. Two outs later Brett Cecil came into the game to face lefty Kole Calhoun.
Bautista, who has spent time playing several infield positions throughout his career, has only played 80 games in 2016. Pillar made a great diving catch to take a way an Albert Pujols.
Pujols finished 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBI.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi provided us with some news on Devon Travis’ finger issue. Waiting for cortisone to start working.
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Jose Bautista isn’t concerning himself with his personal stats this late into the season.
