“Brawny Pujols unleashed,” Albert Pujols crushed Reds’ Espinal with career HR No. 698, 2 more to plunge into 700 club

“Brawny Pujols unleashed,” Albert Pujols crushed Reds’ Espinal with career HR No. 698, 2 more to plunge into 700 club

Albert Pujols

St. Louis Cardinals veteran Albert Pujols does not get tired of proving why he is one of the greatest to step foot in a baseball park. He smashed the 698th home run of his Major League Baseball career on Friday night in a 6-5 St. Louis Cardinals win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Albert Pujols was pitched with an 84-mph slider by Cincinnati Reds’ reliever Raynel Espinal when he sloshed a 427-foot shot out to left field to tie the score at 4-4. The crowd these days comes in the anticipation to see the legend of Pujols reach the 700 career HR club.

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“I was just looking for a good pitch to hit,” Albert Pujols said. “I put the best swing on the night [on it]. Actually … my last one I thought was gone, too, but obviously as you guys know this place, this place is tough.”

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“At the end of the day, it’s just about whatever you can do to help this ballclub,” Albert Pujols said. “Obviously, when they come in a big situation like this it is awesome. We are pushing to try and win the division, and this is what we need.”

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Albert Pujols to join legendary Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth after next 2 home runs

Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols is now the fourth players on the All-Time career homerun list, behind only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714). The St. Louis Cardinals are now left with 17 games before the post-season starts for him to reach as high on the list as he can.

One of the most interesting facts that makes a person honor Albert Pujols is that 5 of his 6 recent HRs have either tied the game or given the Cardinals the lead.

“I like when he homers then,” St. Louis Cardinals’ manager Oliver Marmol joked. “That was a big swing. He continues to do it in meaningful situations, and that is what matters. It would be one thing if he was just chasing [700],”

“But he is taking an unbelievable approach and then delivering when we need it most. Is he chasing 700? Yes, but he is chasing a championship more than that.”

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