Albert Pujols' Slam Sends St. Louis Cardinals To 9-6 Win

Wednesday night opened up looking like the typical Joel Pineiro start: down 3-1 after the top of the third inning. Then the St. Louis Cardinals offense starting churning, and slugger Albert Pujols led the charge. With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, Pujols launched the first pitch from Dodgers starter Derek Lowe over the left-center fence. Pujols' RBI tally may have started and stopped there, but he was 4-4 with a walk in five plate appearances to lead the Cardinals to a 9-6 victory. The Cards' bullpen was shaky once again, but eventually prevailed with Chris Perez closing things down in the ninth inning. There was a very awkward moment in the eighth inning with one out and relief pitcher Brad Thompson on the hill. Dodgers' pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney stepped towards the batter's box, but second baseman Jeff Kent stepped out of the dugout and approached the plate in favor of Sweeney. The umpires discussed the matter for several minutes before allowing Kent to enter the ballgame. It ... (link)