Pujols hits pinch-hit grand slam to reach 690 career HRs

Aug 14, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) receives a standing ovation from the fans after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Albert Pujols hits pinch-hit grand slam to reach 690 career homers

By Adam Stites | Last updated 8/18/22

St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols is now just 10 away from becoming the fourth player in MLB history to reach 700 career home runs after blasting a pinch-hit grand slam Thursday.

Pujols, 42, stepped in for Brendan Donovan in the third inning after the Cardinals raced out to an early 6-0 lead. His line drive homer barely cleared the left field fence and blew the game open, giving St. Louis a 10-0 lead.

A pinch-hit grand slam for one of the best to ever do it.

(MLB x @DairyQueen) pic.twitter.com/qTtJ9ibn1S
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2022

Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) are the only three players to eclipse the 700 barrier with Alex Rodriguez retiring four short (696). Pujols is fifth all-time and 184 ahead of the next highest active player, Miguel Cabrera.

In addition to climbing higher on the career homers list, Pujols tied Aaron and Ruth for career grand slams with his 16th. That trio, along with Dave Kingman, are now tied for 10th in the category, well behind the 25 career grand slams hit by Rodriguez.

Pujols announced in March that 2022 will be his last season before retirement, leaving him with less than 50 games to hit seven more homers to pass Rodriguez for fourth all-time and 10 more to hit the 700 milestone.

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