The Los Angeles Dodgers offense was clicking as they had 11 hits, including four home runs, in a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.
Albert Pujols, who was making a second return to Busch Stadium, received a standing ovation from the fans and tipped his helmet before stepping into the box for his first at-bat.
With a 2-1 count, the future Hall of Famer drove a pitch down the left-field line for a solo home run. As he rounded the bases, Pujols received more cheers from the St. Louis fans, just like when visiting with the L.A. Angels in 2019.
After the Cardinals scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead, the Dodgers tied the game in the fourth inning on a double from Steven Souza Jr. and then took a 3-2 lead on a groundout from Cody Bellinger.
A special moment in St. Louis for @PujolsFive. pic.twitter.com/YRj2nNVbgQ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2021
Bye Bye Birdie. pic.twitter.com/WGDFLzSiwb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2021
A high heater to Will? Now you're just asking for it. pic.twitter.com/FrcETtWVDb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2021
Red turn 2. pic.twitter.com/Xqk0TgZSdk
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2021
L.A. started to pull out in front in the fifth inning when Justin Turner hit his first home run of the game to make the score 4-2. On an 0-2 count in the sixth inning, the Dodgers hit another home run, this time from Will Smith, which was his 23rd of the season, to give them a 5-2 edge.
And just for good measure in the ninth inning, Turner added his 23rd long ball of the season which brought in Trea Turner and made the score 7-2.
The Dodgers chose Corey Knebel to open the game and ended up using nine pitchers who combined to allow eight hits while holding the Cardinals to two runs.
Dodgers offensive outburst
The Dodgers’ 11 hits and four home runs is a positive sign for an offense that has been struggling at the plate recently.
Manager Dave Roberts has been wanting the team to take better at-bats and pass the baton to the next hitter if they don’t get anything to hit.
“We’ve got to trust the process as far as collective offense,” Roberts recently said.
“Take good at-bats, if they’re not going to throw strikes then take your base and trust the next guy behind you can do the job. When you can do that, that’s how it works more fluidly.”
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