Maybe,
but it sure doesn't seem that way.The St. Louis slugger went 4 for 5 -- including his 27th career home run at the park tucked against the Allegheny River -- to lift the Cardinals to a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
"Let me tell you, look at all ballparks, he does it every place he plays," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. "He's just a phenomenal hitter. There's nothing special about here; he just hits everywhere."
Pujols continued to dominate Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm (6-10), going 2 for 3 to improve to .583 (21 for 36) career versus the veteran left-hander. Pujols downplayed his success, saying he doesn't think about the past when he steps into the batter's box.
"It doesn't matter if I have good success against a guy or no -- I take every at-bat like it's my last at-bat of my career, believe it or not," Pujols said.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, Pujols isn't going anywhere this season. He has struggled a bit since coming off the disabled list earlier this month, but appears to be heating up.
His two-run shot to right-field in the first was his second first-inning homer in as many days. He added a single and two doubles as the Cardinals pounded out 15 hits.
David Freese broke out of an extended slump with two hits, including a two-run homer of his own as St. Louis pulled into a virtual tie with the Pirates in the crowded NL Central standings.
Chris Carpenter (6-7) gave up four runs in eight innings to win his fourth straight decision for the Cardinals. Fernando Salas pitched the ninth inning to collect his 18th save.
Carpenter gave up four runs in eight innings and benefited when the Pirates ran themselves out of rallies in the second and sixth innings.
"It was a battle all night," said Carpenter, who gave up 10 hits, striking out four and walking one. "There's no question I didn't have my best stuff, but I was able to throw pitches when I had to."
Maholm (6-10) had won four straight games at PNC Park, but a sloppy first inning sent him to his first home loss in two months.
Blame Pujols, who looks right at home at PNC Park and has had little trouble having his way with Maholm.
"He's a good hitter, I'm going to be aggressive," Maholm said. "I'm going to come in and hitters are going to get their hits and I'm going to stick with my game plan."
Freese added a two-run shot of his own in the first, though Maholm (6-10) settled down to last six innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits, striking out two and walking two.
"I thought (Maholm) made some adjustments the deeper he got into the game," said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle. "I thought he got much better rhythm, much better tempo, much better location."
The 29-year-old had been lights out at PNC this season, particularly over the last two months. He began the night 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA over his last four home starts, one of the main reasons why Pittsburgh has found itself in a pennant race for the first time in nearly 20 years.
