Albert Pujols didn't want to reflect on his latest career milestone.
He was just happy to contribute to an Angels win.
Pujols hit his 521st home run to move into 18th place on baseball's career list and the Los Angeles Angels held on for a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Pujols' home run, a two-run shot off Hisashi Iwakuma (0-1) in the first inning, tied him with Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Willie McCovey and Frank Thomas on the all-time list.
"At the end of my career I'm going to have plenty of time to look back and see what I've done in this game," said Pujols, who is in the third year of his 10-year contract with the Angels that will take him to 2021.
Pujols said "it's special to share my name and be a part of those guys. If you would tell me 16 years ago when I got to this game that I would accomplish what I have, the World Series, big hits, I can't even imagine.
"But it's not about me. It's about the Angels organization and helping my teammates to win games."
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said "that's a nice neighborhood to be in. ... Mike (Trout) has done so much a lot of people overlook how good Albert has been. He's still one of the top hitters in baseball."
Pujols has been bothered by knee and foot injuries the past two seasons, limiting his numbers and effectiveness. He said it made a difference "when I don't have to worry when I come to spring training and you are aching with a sore foot or knee. That's not a good feeling, especially when you have 162 games to get yourself ready for."
Matt Shoemaker (1-0) picked up the win despite allowing a home run to Brad Miller in the third and a two-run shot by Kyle Seager in the sixth. He struck out three and walked none in his six innings.
Iwakuma (0-1) worked six innings, allowing nine hits, five runs, striking out three and walking none.
The Mariners threatened to score on Joe Smith in the eighth, putting runners on second and third with no outs. After Smith struck out Nelson Cruz, Scioscia trotted out to talk to Smith. He said if he couldn't get Seager to swing early, walk him, going against the `book' by putting the go-ahead run on base.
"I don't mind," Smith said. "It just sets up a double play anywhere."
Smith struck out Rickie Weeks and got Logan Morrison to fly out to center.
Huston Street worked the ninth to pick up his second save.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: OF Seth Smith missed his second straight game with a tight groin. It's not serious enough for extended time off. He could have pinch hit Wednesday, if needed.
Angels: Angels have two players on the DL eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday but will not. RHP Garrett Richards (left knee) missed one start but could be ready next week. He will pitch in an extended spring outing Thursday.
HAMILTON'S RETURN
Angels OF Josh Hamilton is working out in Houston. The Angels will be traveling to Houston next Thursday. Manager Mike Scioscia said nothing is planned yet, but he would like to see him. "The important thing for Josh is he's getting the help he needs, getting the support he needs," he said. "That's where our concerns are. We'll touch base with him."
UP NEXT
Mariners: Seattle has Thursday off, traveling to Oakland. Young RHP Taijuan Walker will open the series Friday against the A's. He allowed just two runs in 27 spring innings. He'll be opposed by A's LHP Drew Pomeranz.
Angels: A day off Thursday will be followed by three straight at home against the AL champion Kansas City Royals. LHP Hector Santiago gets his first start and will be opposed by Royals LHP Jason Vargas (0-1, 6.00 ERA).
SEATTLE -- He was just happy to contribute to an Angels win.
Pujols hit his 521st home run to move into 18th place on baseball's career list and the Los Angeles Angels held on for a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Pujols' home run, a two-run shot off Hisashi Iwakuma (0-1) in the first inning, tied him with Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Willie McCovey and Frank Thomas on the all-time list.
"At the end of my career I'm going to have plenty of time to look back and see what I've done in this game," said Pujols, who is in the third year of his 10-year contract with the Angels that will take him to 2021.
Pujols said "it's special to share my name and be a part of those guys. If you would tell me 16 years ago when I got to this game that I would accomplish what I have, the World Series, big hits, I can't even imagine.
"But it's not about me. It's about the Angels organization and helping my teammates to win games."
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said "that's a nice neighborhood to be in. ... Mike (Trout) has done so much a lot of people overlook how good Albert has been. He's still one of the top hitters in baseball."
Pujols has been bothered by knee and foot injuries the past two seasons, limiting his numbers and effectiveness. He said it made a difference "when I don't have to worry when I come to spring training and you are aching with a sore foot or knee. That's not a good feeling, especially when you have 162 games to get yourself ready for."
Matt Shoemaker (1-0) picked up the win despite allowing a home run to Brad Miller in the third and a two-run shot by Kyle Seager in the sixth. He struck out three and walked none in his six innings.
Iwakuma (0-1) worked six innings, allowing nine hits, five runs, striking out three and walking none.
The Mariners threatened to score on Joe Smith in the eighth, putting runners on second and third with no outs. After Smith struck out Nelson Cruz, Scioscia trotted out to talk to Smith. He said if he couldn't get Seager to swing early, walk him, going against the `book' by putting the go-ahead run on base.
"I don't mind," Smith said. "It just sets up a double play anywhere."
Smith struck out Rickie Weeks and got Logan Morrison to fly out to center.
Huston Street worked the ninth to pick up his second save.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: OF Seth Smith missed his second straight game with a tight groin. It's not serious enough for extended time off. He could have pinch hit Wednesday, if needed.
Angels: Angels have two players on the DL eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday but will not. RHP Garrett Richards (left knee) missed one start but could be ready next week. He will pitch in an extended spring outing Thursday.
HAMILTON'S RETURN
Angels OF Josh Hamilton is working out in Houston. The Angels will be traveling to Houston next Thursday. Manager Mike Scioscia said nothing is planned yet, but he would like to see him. "The important thing for Josh is he's getting the help he needs, getting the support he needs," he said. "That's where our concerns are. We'll touch base with him."
UP NEXT
Mariners: Seattle has Thursday off, traveling to Oakland. Young RHP Taijuan Walker will open the series Friday against the A's. He allowed just two runs in 27 spring innings. He'll be opposed by A's LHP Drew Pomeranz.
Angels: A day off Thursday will be followed by three straight at home against the AL champion Kansas City Royals. LHP Hector Santiago gets his first start and will be opposed by Royals LHP Jason Vargas (0-1, 6.00 ERA).
10:10PM,EDT,April 8,2015
Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Los Angeles - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
---|---|---|
Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Calhoun lined out to center. | 0 | 0 |
Trout singled to left. | 0 | 0 |
Pujols homered to left (417 feet), Trout scored. | 2 | 0 |
Joyce singled to shallow right. | 2 | 0 |
Freese doubled to left, Joyce to third. | 2 | 0 |
Aybar reaches on error by second baseman Canó, Joyce and Freese scored, Aybar out at second. | 4 | 0 |
Iannetta struck out swinging. | 4 | 0 |
4 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
Matt Shoemaker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Jackson struck out swinging. | 4 | 0 |
Ackley lined out to right. | 4 | 0 |
Canó struck out swinging. | 4 | 0 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Navarro doubled to right. | 4 | 0 |
Giavotella singled to left, Navarro to third. | 4 | 0 |
Calhoun struck out looking. | 4 | 0 |
Trout hit sacrifice fly to center, Navarro scored. | 5 | 0 |
Pujols flied out to right. | 5 | 0 |
1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
Matt Shoemaker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Cruz popped out to shortstop. | 5 | 0 |
Seager flied out to right. | 5 | 0 |
Weeks hit by pitch. | 5 | 0 |
Morrison singled to right, Weeks to third. | 5 | 0 |
Zunino struck out swinging. | 5 | 0 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Joyce flied out to center. | 5 | 0 |
Freese struck out swinging. | 5 | 0 |
Aybar grounded out to first. | 5 | 0 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
Matt Shoemaker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Miller homered to right center (388 feet). | 5 | 1 |
Jackson reached on infield single to third. | 5 | 1 |
Jackson caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. | 5 | 1 |
Ackley struck out swinging. | 5 | 1 |
Canó flied out to left. | 5 | 1 |
1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Iannetta grounded out to shortstop. | 5 | 1 |
Navarro singled to center. | 5 | 1 |
Navarro caught stealing second, catcher to second. | 5 | 1 |
Giavotella singled to left. | 5 | 1 |
Calhoun grounded out to first. | 5 | 1 |
0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
Matt Shoemaker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Cruz flied out to right. | 5 | 1 |
Seager popped out to catcher. | 5 | 1 |
Weeks struck out swinging. | 5 | 1 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Trout grounded out to shortstop. | 5 | 1 |
Pujols grounded out to pitcher. | 5 | 1 |
Joyce grounded out to shortstop. | 5 | 1 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
Matt Shoemaker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Morrison lined out to first. | 5 | 1 |
Zunino singled to center. | 5 | 1 |
Miller grounded out to first, Zunino to second. | 5 | 1 |
Jackson grounded out to second. | 5 | 1 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
Hisashi Iwakuma pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Freese grounded out to third. | 5 | 1 |
Aybar singled to center. | 5 | 1 |
Iannetta flied out to left. | 5 | 1 |
Navarro lined out to center. | 5 | 1 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
Matt Shoemaker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Cowgill in left field. | 5 | 1 |
Ackley grounded out to first. | 5 | 1 |
Canó doubled to deep right. | 5 | 1 |
Cruz flied out to right. | 5 | 1 |
Seager homered to right center (391 feet), Canó scored. | 5 | 3 |
Weeks grounded out to third. | 5 | 3 |
2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
Tyler Olson pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Giavotella singled to left. | 5 | 3 |
Calhoun sacrificed to third, Giavotella to second. | 5 | 3 |
Trout intentionally walked. | 5 | 3 |
C. Smith relieved Olson. | 5 | 3 |
Pujols struck out looking. | 5 | 3 |
Joyce lined out to center. | 5 | 3 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
Jose Alvarez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Morrison grounded out to first. | 5 | 3 |
Morin relieved Álvarez. | 5 | 3 |
Zunino struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
Miller singled to shallow left. | 5 | 3 |
Jackson lined out to center. | 5 | 3 |
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
Carson Smith pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Freese walked. | 5 | 3 |
Aybar hit by pitch, Freese to second. | 5 | 3 |
Iannetta struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
Cowgill flied out to right. | 5 | 3 |
Giavotella struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
Joe Smith pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Ackley reached on infield single to third. | 5 | 3 |
Canó doubled to deep right center, Ackley to third. | 5 | 3 |
Cruz struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
Seager intentionally walked. | 5 | 3 |
Weeks struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
Morrison flied out to center. | 5 | 3 |
0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
Danny Farquhar pitching for Seattle | LAA | SEA |
Calhoun grounded out to pitcher. | 5 | 3 |
Trout struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
Pujols flied out to right. | 5 | 3 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Seattle - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
Huston Street pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | SEA |
Zunino struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
Miller flied out to left. | 5 | 3 |
Jackson flied out to left. | 5 | 3 |
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors |
Los Angeles Angels | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
Calhoun RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | .083 | .083 | .083 |
Trout CF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 22 | .273 | .308 | .636 |
Pujols 1B | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 17 | .182 | .308 | .545 |
Joyce DH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | .125 | .125 | .125 |
Freese 3B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | .182 | .250 | .545 |
Aybar SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | .300 | .364 | .300 |
Iannetta C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | .100 | .100 | .100 |
Navarro LF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .667 | .667 | 1.000 |
Cowgill LF
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Giavotella 2B | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .444 | .500 | .444 |
Totals | 34 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 142 | |||
BATTING 2B: Freese (1, Iwakuma); Navarro (1, Iwakuma) HR: Pujols (1, 1st inning off Iwakuma 1 on, 1 Out) RBI: Pujols 2 (2), Aybar (1), Trout (2) S: Calhoun SF: Trout Angels RISP: 1-8 (Cowgill 0-1, Joyce 0-1, Iannetta 0-1, Giavotella 1-2, Aybar 0-1, Calhoun 0-1, Pujols 0-1) Team LOB: 7 | ||||||||||
BASERUNNING CS: Navarro (1, 2nd base by Iwakuma/Zunino) |
Game Information
Stadium | Safeco Field, Seattle, WA |
Attendance | 25,495 (53.6% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
Game Time | 2:48 |
Weather | 60 degrees, partly cloudy |
Wind | 7 mph |
Umpires | Home Plate - Brian Knight, First Base - Vic Carapazza, Second Base - Larry Vanover, Third Base - Ron Kulpa |
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