Albert Pujols hit his 703rd home run Monday night time, breaking a tie with Babe Ruth for 2d position in occupation RBIs, however the St. Louis Cardinals misplaced to Pittsburgh 3-2 when the Pirates drew 4 consecutive walks in the 9th inning to pressure home the profitable run.
The 42-year-old slugger hooked up off right-hander Mitch Keller, pulling a two-run shot into the left-field stands to snap a scoreless tie in the 6th inning. It used to be Pujols’ thirty fifth occupation home run at PNC Park, his maximum at any visiting ballpark.
The force gave Pujols 2,216 RBIs, passing Ruth at the all-time listing. Hank Aaron holds the document with 2,297.
Pujols, who plans to retire after the season, has 24 home runs this yr — his maximum since hitting 31 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2016. He is considered one of 4 avid gamers in main league historical past with 700, becoming a member of Barry Bonds (762), Aaron (755) and Ruth (714).
Pujols have been hitless in 8 occupation at-bats towards Keller.
With the ranking tied 2-all in the 9th inning, the Pirates loaded the bases when Ke’Bryan Hayes, Miguel Andujar and Rodolfo Castro drew consecutive walks from Giovanny Gallegos (3-6).
JoJo Romero relieved and walked Oneil Cruz to finish the sport. It used to be the primary walk-off plate look of the rookie’s occupation.
Before the sport, the Cardinals signed Gallegos to a two-year contract price $11 million that runs via 2024.
Yohan Ramirez (4-1) pitched a scoreless 9th for the win.
The Pirates have shyed away from a 2d instantly 100-loss season — a minimum of for now — via beating the NL Central champion Cardinals for the second one consecutive day.
Paul Goldschmidt led off the St. Louis 6th with a unmarried sooner than Pujols hooked up. Keller used to be chased after giving up two extra singles in the inning.
The Pirates rallied to tie it at 2. Bryan Reynolds doubled home a run in the 6th and Jack Suwinski homered off Andre Pallante in the 8th.
Normally a starter, Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas allowed one run in 3 innings of aid. He adopted Jose Quintana, who began and pitched 3 scoreless innings.
St. Louis used the starters in tandem as supervisor Oliver Marmol makes an attempt to set his group of workers for postseason play. The Cardinals host a best-of-three wild-card collection starting Friday, and Marmol has now not made up our minds on his rotation.
“It allows us the flexibility to still start them in any game of that three-game set,” he defined sooner than the sport.
Keller allowed two runs and 6 hits in 5 innings.
PIRATES MOVES
RHP Nick Mears used to be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and RHP Luis Ortiz used to be optioned to the similar membership. Ortiz made his main league debut Sept. 13 and went 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 4 begins.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cardinals: 3B Nolan Arenado used to be scratched from the lineup quarter-hour sooner than the sport for what the crew stated have been “precautionary reasons.” … OF Tyler O’Neill (strained left hamstring) went via a complete baseball exercise however the Cardinals are nonetheless unsure if he’ll be in a position to play via Friday. … RHP Jordan Hicks will both be activated from the injured listing and pitch in Wednesday’s regular-season finale or throw a bullpen that day.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson (8-7, 4.07 ERA) will get started Tuesday night time. He has allowed one unearned run over 11 innings in two appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Sept. 21. RHP Jack Flaherty is anticipated to pitch in aid as a postseason tune-up.
Pirates: Had now not introduced a starter, although RHP JT Brubaker (3-11, 4.58) might be activated from the injured listing.
Reporting via the Associated Press.
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