Pujols slams 600th homer
Angels slugger is ninth player in MLB history to hit mark.
Albert Pujols checked his phone between innings and saw a text from his wife in the stands. Deidre Pujols bluntly told him to stop pressing so hard for his 600th homer.
Although the Los Angeles Angels slugger isn’t supposed to be using his phone during games, that message was exactly what Pujols needed to hear in order to reach the next milestone in his career.
Pujols hit a grand slam in the fourth inning Saturday night, becoming the ninth member of the 600-homer club during a 7-2 victory over the Twins.
After three straight homerless games since hitting No. 599, Pujols crushed a low pitch from Ervin Santana (7-3) high down the left-field line and into Angel Stadium’s short porch for his 14th grand slam. The Anaheim crowd roared while fireworks soared overhead for the 37-year-old’s ninth homer of the season and his 155th for the Angels.
Pujols paused at the dugout steps to wave to the crowd — and to kiss Deidre.
“I’m glad I listen to her one in a while,” Pujols said. “At a moment like this, I always start putting pressure on myself. Usually she’ll give me some encouragement. It was just a perfect time to check my phone, and I’m glad I did.”
Tigers: Pitcher Justin Verlander left Sunday’s start against the White Sox in the third inning with tightness in his right groin. Manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander will undergo an MRI test. As of now, he’s expected to make his next start, Ausmus said.
Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said third baseman Justin Turner (right hamstring) could return from the disabled list late next week.
Rangers: First baseman Mike Napoli was out of the lineup for the third time in six games Sunday because of back spasms. Manager Jeff Banister said Napoli might undergo an evaluation on today’s off day if there isn’t improvement.
Indians: Infielder/outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall (concussion) reported no problems during his first rehab game at Double-A Akron. He planned to rejoining the Indians on Tuesday.
Royals: Second baseman Whit Merrifield had three hits Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 19 games. That’s the longest hit streak in the majors this season and longest by a Royals player since Alex Gordon hit in 19 straight in April 2011.
Mariners: Catcher Mike Zunino, a .196 career hitter who had a career-high seven RBIs on Saturday night, is hitting .308 since being recalled from the minors on May 22 and leads the team with 13 RBIs during that span.
Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton hit .406 (13 for 32) on Miami’s 10-game homestand with two doubles, four home runs, and eight RBIs.
Pirates: Outfielder Andrew McCutchen is 13 for 33 (.394) with three home runs in his last 10 games.