St. Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols tips his helmet after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning.. UPI/Bill
Albert Pujols drove in four runs including a three run homer in the third as the Cardinals shut out the Astros 5-0 at Busch Stadium, in front of the largest opening day crowd at the four year old stadium.
Pujols went 2 for 3 and hit his fifth homer of the season in seven games. He’s already got 14 RBI in his first back to back four RBI games of his career. Statisically, Pujols has struggled against Houston starter Wandy Rodriquez, but Pujols always feels that he gets a good at-bat against the lefty.
Adam Wainwright was spectacular. He went 8 innings allowing six runs and one walk while striking out seven. Of his 105 pitches, he threw 73 strikes and he lightly lobbied to Tony LaRussa to pitch the complete game shutout, but LaRussa held Wainwright out of the 9th inning to save his arm for later in the season given it was just his second start of the year. Wainwright said he felt his seventh and eighth innings were his strongest.
Tony LaRussa post game press conference.
Albert Pujols post game comments.
Adam Wainwright comments.