Cards dump Angels in Pujols' return to St. Louis

[June 22, 2019]  Marcell Ozuna had three hits and three RBIs for the St. Louis Cardinals, helping them spoil the long-awaited return of Albert Pujols in a 5-1 win against the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

Pujols played 11 seasons and won three National League Most Valuable Player awards for St. Louis before signing with the Angels following the 2011 season.

Pujols received a standing ovation in each of his three plate appearances and again when he was removed for a pinch runner after beating out an infield single to lead off the seventh inning.

Ozuna hit a solo home run in the sixth to give St. Louis a 2-1 lead in the opener of the three-game series. Ozuna also had two RBI singles, and Jose Martinez contributed two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals.

St. Louis starter Michael Wacha (5-3) went six innings, allowing one run and five hits. He struck out four and walked one on 95 pitches.

Angels rookie right-hander Griffin Canning (2-4) allowed two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Angels center fielder Mike Trout, playing his first major league game in St. Louis, went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. Justin Upton added two hits and an RBI for Los Angeles, which had not played in St. Louis since 2010.

Canning was removed shortly after allowing the tiebreaking home run to Ozuna. The Cardinals tacked on three more runs in the seventh off reliever Luke Bard, who walked the first two batters before Ozuna, Martinez and Kolten Wong followed with RBI singles to make it 5-1.

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) signs autographs prior to his first game back at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Pujols came to the plate in the first inning after Upton had doubled home Trout for a 1-0 lead. After an 80-second ovation, Pujols flied out to center on the first pitch to end the inning.

Canning retired the first nine batters in order before giving up three walks and an RBI single to Ozuna in the fourth inning to tie the score at 1-1.

--Field Level Media

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