Things were looking a bit grim for the Cardinals heading into Wednesday’s series finale with the Blue Jays. One day after getting hammered 10-3, St. Louis had to find a way to get it done against 2021 All-Star Kevin Gausman, or else head to Washington D.C. having just gone 1-4 against the Reds and Jays to open the second half.
Luckily, first baseman and cleanup man Albert Pujols was up to the challenge. Pujols ended the game a triple shy of the cycle, including a 439-foot three-run homer in the fifth inning that broke the game open. He also reached base twice on Tuesday, and saw his season batting average jump from .