ST.LOUIS — First baseman Albert Pujols was scratched from the Cardinals’ lineup shortly before Tuesday’s game with a strained left calf muscle, adding to the team’s list of ailing players. Coming into Tuesday, Pujols had played in all but two of the Cardinals’ games this season, despite battling an elbow and hamstring problem most of the season. The former MVP is just five RBIs away from 100, which would be his seventh straight season driving in 100 or more runs, and he has already eclipsed the 30-homer mark.
Scott Spiezio moved over from third base to first and Miguel Cairo was inserted into the lineup at third, and batted in the third spot in the lineup.
Pujols played all nine innings of the Cardinals’ 13-11 loss Monday night and drove in three runs, including a solo home run in the sixth — his 31st homer of the season.